Here's the unbalanced equation:
CaCl₂ (aq) + C₁₇H₃₅COONa (aq) → (C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca (s) + NaCl (aq)
To balance the equation:
1. Count the number of each atom on both sides:
* Ca: 1 on the left, 1 on the right
* Cl: 2 on the left, 1 on the right
* C: 17 on the left, 34 on the right
* H: 35 on the left, 70 on the right
* O: 2 on the left, 4 on the right
* Na: 1 on the left, 1 on the right
2. Adjust the coefficients to balance the atoms:
* Put a coefficient of 2 in front of C₁₇H₃₅COONa on the left side:
CaCl₂ (aq) + 2 C₁₇H₃₅COONa (aq) → (C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca (s) + NaCl (aq)
* Put a coefficient of 2 in front of NaCl on the right side:
CaCl₂ (aq) + 2 C₁₇H₃₅COONa (aq) → (C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca (s) + 2 NaCl (aq)
Now the equation is balanced:
CaCl₂ (aq) + 2 C₁₇H₃₅COONa (aq) → (C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca (s) + 2 NaCl (aq)
Explanation:
* Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is a soluble ionic compound.
* Sodium oleate (C₁₇H₃₅COONa) is the primary component of soap and is also soluble.
* Calcium oleate ((C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca) is an insoluble salt that forms a precipitate, causing the familiar "soap scum" when soap is used in hard water containing calcium ions.
* Sodium chloride (NaCl) is table salt and remains dissolved.