To determine the products of the neutralization reaction between [tex]\( HNO_3 \)[/tex] (nitric acid) and [tex]\( Ca(OH)_2 \)[/tex] (calcium hydroxide), let's follow the steps required to balance the chemical equation for a neutralization reaction.
A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce a salt and water. In this specific reaction, we have:
- Acid: [tex]\( HNO_3 \)[/tex] (nitric acid)
- Base: [tex]\( Ca(OH)_2 \)[/tex] (calcium hydroxide)
Step-by-step:
1. Write down the reactants and predict the products:
Acid [tex]\( HNO_3 \)[/tex] reacts with base [tex]\( Ca(OH)_2 \)[/tex] to form a salt and water. The salt formed in this case will be calcium nitrate, [tex]\( Ca(NO_3)_2 \)[/tex].
2. Write the unbalanced equation:
[tex]\[ HNO_3 + Ca(OH)_2 \rightarrow Ca(NO_3)_2 + H_2O \][/tex]
3. Balance the equation:
- Calcium ([tex]\( Ca \)[/tex]): There is one [tex]\( Ca \)[/tex] atom on both sides, so calcium is balanced.
- Nitrate ([tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex]): There are two [tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex] ions in [tex]\( Ca(NO_3)_2 \)[/tex], meaning we need two [tex]\( HNO_3 \)[/tex] molecules on the reactant side.
- Water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]): Each [tex]\( Ca(OH)_2 \)[/tex] provides two [tex]\( OH^- \)[/tex] ions, which will form two water molecules.
Therefore, the balanced equation is:
[tex]\[ 2HNO_3 + Ca(OH)_2 \rightarrow Ca(NO_3)_2 + 2H_2O \][/tex]
So, the products of the neutralization reaction between [tex]\( HNO_3 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( Ca(OH)_2 \)[/tex] are calcium nitrate ([tex]\( Ca(NO_3)_2 \)[/tex]) and water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]).
Thus, the correct answer is:
A. [tex]\( Ca(NO_3)_2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]
