You're describing the reaction of citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) to produce water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sodium citrate (Na₃C₆H₅O₇). Here's how to balance the equation:

1. Write the unbalanced equation:

C₆H₈O₇ + NaHCO₃ → H₂O + CO₂ + Na₃C₆H₅O₇

2. Balance the elements one by one:

* Sodium (Na): There's 1 Na on the left and 3 Na on the right. Multiply NaHCO₃ by 3:

C₆H₈O₇ + 3NaHCO₃ → H₂O + CO₂ + Na₃C₆H₅O₇

* Carbon (C): There are 6 C on the left and 7 C on the right. Multiply CO₂ by 3:

C₆H₈O₇ + 3NaHCO₃ → H₂O + 3CO₂ + Na₃C₆H₅O₇

* Hydrogen (H): There are 11 H on the left and 2 H on the right. Multiply H₂O by 3:

C₆H₈O₇ + 3NaHCO₃ → 3H₂O + 3CO₂ + Na₃C₆H₅O₇

* Oxygen (O): Now all the oxygens are balanced with 13 O on each side.

3. The balanced equation:

C₆H₈O₇ + 3NaHCO₃ → 3H₂O + 3CO₂ + Na₃C₆H₅O₇

Explanation:

This reaction is an acid-base reaction. Citric acid is a weak acid, and sodium bicarbonate is a base. The reaction produces sodium citrate, a salt, along with water and carbon dioxide gas. This is a common reaction used in baking to produce the carbon dioxide that causes dough to rise.