Predict the products of the reaction below.
[tex]HClO_4+Ca(OH)_2 \rightarrow[/tex]
Answer (1)
2 H 2 O + C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2
Explanation
Identify the Reaction The reaction between perchloric acid ( H Cl O 4 ) and calcium hydroxide ( C a ( O H ) 2 ) is an acid-base neutralization reaction. Perchloric acid is a strong acid, and calcium hydroxide is a strong base. The products of this reaction will be a salt and water.
Write the Unbalanced Equation First, we write the unbalanced chemical equation: H Cl O 4 + C a ( O H ) 2 → H 2 O + ?
Identify the Salt The salt formed will consist of the cation from the base, which is C a 2 + , and the anion from the acid, which is Cl O 4 − . Therefore, the salt is calcium perchlorate, C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2 .
Write the Unbalanced Equation with Products Now we write the unbalanced chemical equation with the correct products: H Cl O 4 + C a ( O H ) 2 → H 2 O + C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2
Balance Perchlorate Next, we balance the equation. First, balance the perchlorate ions by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of H Cl O 4 :
2 H Cl O 4 + C a ( O H ) 2 → H 2 O + C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2
Balance Water Now, balance the hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form water. We have 2 H + ions from the perchloric acid and 2 O H − ions from the calcium hydroxide, which will combine to form 2 water molecules. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of H 2 O :
2 H Cl O 4 + C a ( O H ) 2 → 2 H 2 O + C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2
Final Balanced Equation The balanced chemical equation is: 2 H Cl O 4 + C a ( O H ) 2 → 2 H 2 O + C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2
State the Products The products of the reaction between perchloric acid and calcium hydroxide are water ( H 2 O ) and calcium perchlorate [ C a ( Cl O 4 ) 2 ].
Examples
Acid-base neutralization reactions are fundamental in chemistry and have numerous real-world applications. For instance, they are used in titrations to determine the concentration of acids or bases in a solution. In medicine, antacids utilize neutralization reactions to relieve heartburn by neutralizing excess stomach acid. In industrial settings, these reactions are crucial for wastewater treatment to neutralize acidic or basic pollutants before they are discharged into the environment. Understanding and balancing chemical equations for these reactions is essential for quantitative analysis and safe handling of chemicals.
