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Question

The gas evolved when sodium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid is ________.

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

Carbon dioxide

Understanding the Reaction: Sodium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid

This question asks about the gas produced when sodium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid. This is a classic example of a reaction between a metal carbonate and an acid.

When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate, the products typically formed are a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas.

The reactants are sodium carbonate ($\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$) and hydrochloric acid ($\text{HCl}$).

The chemical equation for this reaction is:

$\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3\text{(s)} + 2\text{HCl(aq)} \rightarrow 2\text{NaCl(aq)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(l)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)}$

Let's break down what happens:

  • Sodium carbonate ($\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$) is a solid.
  • Hydrochloric acid ($\text{HCl}$) is an aqueous solution.
  • They react to form:
    • Sodium chloride ($\text{NaCl}$), which is a salt dissolved in water (aqueous).
    • Water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$), which is a liquid.
    • Carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$), which is a gas.

The gas evolved, meaning the gas that bubbles out or is released, in this reaction is carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$).

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

  • Hydrogen ($\text{H}_2$): Hydrogen gas is usually produced when active metals (like sodium, zinc, or magnesium) react directly with acids. Carbonates do not produce hydrogen gas when reacting with acids.
  • Chlorine ($\text{Cl}_2$): Chlorine gas is not a product of this specific reaction. It might be produced in other reactions involving chlorides, such as electrolysis or reactions with strong oxidizing agents.
  • Hydrogen Chloride ($\text{HCl}$): Hydrogen chloride is the reactant acid itself, not a gas produced by the reaction. It is used up in the reaction with sodium carbonate.

Summary of the Sodium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid Reaction

Here is a quick summary of the reaction and its products:

Reactant 1 Reactant 2 Products Gas Evolved
Sodium Carbonate ($\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$) Hydrochloric Acid ($\text{HCl}$) Sodium Chloride ($\text{NaCl}$), Water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$), Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)

Therefore, the gas evolved when sodium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid is carbon dioxide.

Revision Table: Key Acid-Carbonate Reactions

Reactants General Equation Products Gas Evolved
Acid + Metal Carbonate Acid + Carbonate > Salt + Water + Carbon Dioxide Salt, Water, Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)
Example: $\text{HCl}$ + $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$ $2\text{HCl(aq)} + \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3\text{(s)} \rightarrow 2\text{NaCl(aq)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(l)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)}$ Sodium Chloride, Water, Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)
Example: $\text{HNO}_3$ + $\text{CaCO}_3$ $2\text{HNO}_3\text{(aq)} + \text{CaCO}_3\text{(s)} \rightarrow \text{Ca(NO}_3)_2\text{(aq)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(l)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)}$ Calcium Nitrate, Water, Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)

Additional Information: Identifying Carbon Dioxide Gas

How can you test for carbon dioxide gas?

The standard test for carbon dioxide gas involves bubbling it through limewater, which is a solution of calcium hydroxide ($\text{Ca(OH)}_2$).

When carbon dioxide is bubbled through limewater, it reacts with calcium hydroxide to form insoluble calcium carbonate ($\text{CaCO}_3$), which is a white precipitate. This makes the limewater turn cloudy or milky.

The equation for this reaction is:

$\text{Ca(OH)}_2\text{(aq)} + \text{CO}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{CaCO}_3\text{(s)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(l)}$

This milky appearance is a positive test for the presence of carbon dioxide gas.

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