How would you complete and balance the acid base neutralizations reaction: HBr + Ba(OH)_2 ->?

1 Answer
Mar 27, 2017

2"HBr" + "Ba(OH)"_2 -> "BaBr"_2 + 2 "H"_2"O"

Explanation:

In a neutralization reaction, if the base is a hydroxide, then the products formed would be the salt and water.

acid + base -> salt + water

The water ("H"_2"O") is a result of the combination of the "H"^+ from the acid and the "OH"^- from the base.

The salt ("BaBr"_2) is simply the remaining anion of the acid ("Br"^-) and the cation of the base ("Ba"^{2+}).

The unbalanced equation is therefore

"HBr" + "Ba(OH)"_2 -> "BaBr"_2 + "H"_2"O"

To balance the equation, first notice that the number of Ba on both sides are the same. Ba is balanced.

Next, notice that the LHS is short of 1 x Br. So balance it by adding 1 unit of HBr.

"2HBr" + "Ba(OH)"_2 -> "BaBr"_2 + "H"_2"O"

Now, the RHS is missing 2 x H and 1 x O. Balance that by adding 1 units of "H"_2"O".

"2HBr" + "Ba(OH)"_2 -> "BaBr"_2 + 2"H"_2"O"

Now, all the elements have equal amounts on both sides of the equation. The chemical equation is now considered balanced.