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  • Reaction of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Oleate: Equation & Balancing
    The reaction of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) with sodium oleate (C₁₇H₃₅COONa) is a double displacement reaction that forms an insoluble calcium oleate precipitate and sodium chloride (NaCl) in solution.

    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.

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