Here's the balanced chemical equation for the reaction:
2HCl(aq) + Na₂CO₃(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)
This reaction is a classic example of an acid-base reaction. The hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the acid, and the sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) is the base. The products are sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
You can easily identify the gas as carbon dioxide because it is colorless, odorless, and forms bubbles in the solution. You can also test the gas by bubbling it through limewater (calcium hydroxide solution), which will turn milky due to the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
