Balancing the acid-carbonate neutralization reaction

Steps:

• Write the reactants: sodium carbonate is Na₂CO₃, dilute nitric acid is HNO₃.
• Identify products: salt (NaNO₃), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• Balance sodium: 2 Na on left requires 2 NaNO₃ on right.
• Balance hydrogen and nitrate: 2 H and 2 NO₃ on left require 2 HNO₃; this yields H₂O and CO₂.

Why D is correct:

• It follows the stoichiometry of the double displacement reaction, where one carbonate ion reacts with two nitrate ions and two hydrogens to form two sodium nitrates, water, and CO₂.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Uses incorrect formula NaCO₃ (sodium carbonate is Na₂CO₃) and is unbalanced.
• B: Produces only one NaNO₃, violating charge and atom balance.
• C: Uses one HNO₃, insufficient for balancing sodium and hydrogen atoms.

Final answer: D