Balanced equation for carboxylic acid and carbonate reaction

Steps:

• Recognize propanoic acid as CH3CH2COOH, but choices use CH3COOH notation; focus on structure matching products.
• General reaction: 2RCOOH + CaCO3 → (RCOO)2Ca + CO2 + H2O, where salt is calcium propanoate.
• Balance atoms: two acid molecules neutralize CaCO3, producing salt, CO2 from carbonate, and H2O.
• Match choice with correct formula for salt (CH3COO)2Ca, full products, and proper reactant CaCO3.

Why C is correct:

• Follows acid-carbonate reaction law, balancing 2H+ from acids with CO3^2- to form CO2 + H2O, yielding (CH3COO)2Ca salt.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Incorrect salt notation (CH3COOCa implies ester, not ionic salt).
• B: Wrong reactant (CaCO instead of CaCO3) and missing CO2 product.
• D: Same salt error as A (2CH3COOCa).

Final answer: C