Na₂SO₃ (aq) + 2HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H₂O (l) + SO₂ (g)
Here's a breakdown of the reaction:
* Reactants:
* Sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃): A white crystalline solid that dissolves in water to form a solution.
* Hydrochloric acid (HCl): A strong acid that is a colorless solution.
* Products:
* Sodium chloride (NaCl): A white crystalline solid commonly known as table salt.
* Water (H₂O): A colorless liquid.
* Sulfur dioxide (SO₂): A colorless gas with a pungent odor.
Explanation:
This reaction is a double displacement reaction, also known as a metathesis reaction. Here's what happens:
1. Double Displacement: The sodium (Na⁺) ions from sodium sulfite and the chloride (Cl⁻) ions from hydrochloric acid switch partners.
2. Formation of Water and Sulfur Dioxide: The hydrogen (H⁺) ions from hydrochloric acid react with the sulfite ions (SO₃²⁻) from sodium sulfite to form water (H₂O) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂).
The sulfur dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere, which is why you might smell a pungent odor when this reaction occurs.
