Chemistry: Word equation into formula

[Coldkilla]

Sulfuric Acid + Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate -> Carbon Dioxide + Sodium Sulfate + Water

I came up with this (unbalanced) equation:

_HSO4 + _Na2H2CO3 - > _CO2 + _Na2SO4 + _H2O

I tried to balence it and it just wouldnt balance. Could yall help me find what im doing wrong? Thanks

If your dieing to see what the subscripts are: Link for illistration of problem.

Thanks for all your help guys/gals/everyone!

 

[PurdueRy]

Sulfuric acid - H2SO4
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate - CHNaO3

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
_H2SO4 + _NaHCO3 - > _CO2 + _Na2SO4 + _H2O

Fixed.

 

[Coldkilla]

TY!!

 

[yhelothar]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyatomic
wikipedia FTW!

 

[Coldkilla]

To virtualgames0: Simple mistake, I didn't even notice the Sulfuric Acid with a charge of -2. I dont know how I didn't see it. I dont believe I need a wiki

How can this appear to be balanced? I dont understand why I cant make the equation equal. I keep getting:

4 H 2
1 S 1
7 O 7
2 Na 2
1C 1

If I changed the Hydrogens, the # of oxygens dont match up and all hell breaks loose with all of the other units & I dont see how it ever can be neutral on both ends.

 

[PurdueRy]

_H2SO4 + 2_NaHCO3 - > 2_CO2 + _Na2SO4 +2_H2O

Balanced

 

[HaxorNubcake]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
_H2SO4 + 2_NaHCO3 - > 2_CO2 + _Na2SO4 +2_H2O

Balanced

ftw

 

[Coldkilla]

Pardon my stupidity but why is:

NaHCO3 not Na2H2CO3?

I ask because isnt:

Na's Charge -1 and CO3's charge -2?
H's Charge -1 and CO3's charge -2?

How do they then cancel?

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
Pardon my stupidity but why is:

NaHCO3 not Na2H2CO3?

I ask because isnt:

Na's Charge -1 and CO3's charge -2?
H's Charge -1 and CO3's charge -2?

How do they then cancel?

HCO3 is bicarbonate, a polyatomic ion with a -1 charge

Na has a +1 charge

NaHCO3 FTW!

 

[HaxorNubcake]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
Pardon my stupidity but why is:

NaHCO3 not Na2H2CO3?

I ask because isnt:

Na's Charge -1 and CO3's charge -2?
H's Charge -1 and CO3's charge -2?

How do they then cancel?

HCO3 is bicarbonate. H's charge is +1

edit: amol ftw :thumbsup:

 

[Safeway]

www.chemisery.com - general chemistry section

 

[Coldkilla]

Ty all. That'll be it for this evening! Ty again