Question

What coefficients must be added to balance the following equation?

_____NaOH + _____H2 SO4 _____ Na2SO4 + _____ H2O

2, 1, 1, 1
3, 1, 1, 3
2, 1, 1, 2
4, 2, 2, 1

Answer 1

I think its 2, 1,1,2

Answer 2

I like to balance equations by writing out an equation for every individual species.
Here we will have 4. Na, H, SO4, and O

Let's represent the coefficients with letters: \[a~ \text{NaOH} + b~\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 ~=~c~ \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 + d~\text{H}_2\text{O}\]
\(\text{Na}\): \(a = 2c\)
\(\text{H}\): \(a+2b = 2d\)
\(\text{SO}_4\): \(b=c\)
\(\text{O}\):\(a=d\)
Now we have four equations and four unknowns.

Answer 3

the answer is 2,1,1,2 as these coefficients satisfy the equation