To determine what results from a reaction between a base, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and a hydronium ion (H₃O⁺), let's analyze the chemical process step-by-step.
1. Identify the Reactants:
- Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): A strong base that dissociates completely in water to form sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
- Hydronium Ion (H₃O⁺): This is essentially a water molecule (H₂O) with an extra proton (H⁺), often formed when acids are dissolved in water.
2. Reaction Setup:
- When NaOH reacts with H₃O⁺, the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from NaOH will neutralize the hydronium ions (H₃O⁺).
- The neutralization reaction between OH⁻ and H₃O⁺ typically produces water (H₂O).
3. Determine the Products:
- The hydroxide ion (OH⁻) from NaOH combines with the proton (H⁺) from the hydronium ion (H₃O⁺) to form water (H₂O).
- Additionally, the sodium ion (Na⁺) remains in the solution as a free ion since it does not participate directly in the neutralization process.
The overall chemical reaction can be summarized as:
[tex]\[ \text{NaOH} + \text{H}_3\text{O}^+ \rightarrow 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{Na}^+ \][/tex]
4. Choice Analysis:
- Option a) \( 2 H_2 O \) and \( Na^+ \): This matches our expected products—two molecules of water and a sodium ion.
- Option b) Water and a strong acid: This is incorrect because NaOH neutralizes the acid, resulting in water and a base rather than a strong acid.
- Option c) \( H_2 O \) and \( NaOH^- \): This is incorrect as it suggests the base doesn't fully react, which contradicts the complete neutralization.
- Option d) Water and a strong base: This is not correct, since in the neutralization, we should not end up with the original strong base.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
a) [tex]\( 2 H_2 O \)[/tex] and [tex]\( Na^+ \)[/tex]
