predict the products of the reaction below. that is, complete the right - hand side of the chemical…

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the reaction type

This is a neutralization reaction between an acid (HCl) and a base (NaOH). In neutralization, acid and base react to form a salt and water.

Step2: Determine the products

The acid HCl (hydrochloric acid) and base NaOH (sodium hydroxide) will exchange ions. The cation from the base (Na⁺) combines with the anion from the acid (Cl⁻) to form the salt NaCl (sodium chloride), and the H⁺ from the acid combines with the OH⁻ from the base to form H₂O (water).

Step3: Balance the equation

The number of each atom on both sides should be equal. For HCl + NaOH, on the left we have 1 H, 1 Cl, 1 Na, 1 O. On the right, for NaCl and H₂O, we have 1 Na, 1 Cl, 2 H, 1 O. Wait, no, actually, let's write the unbalanced equation first: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O. Now check the atoms: H: 1 (from HCl) + 1 (from NaOH) = 2 (in H₂O). Cl: 1 (in HCl) = 1 (in NaCl). Na: 1 (in NaOH) = 1 (in NaCl). O: 1 (in NaOH) = 1 (in H₂O). Wait, actually, the equation is already balanced? Wait, HCl is H⁺ and Cl⁻, NaOH is Na⁺ and OH⁻. So H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O, and Na⁺ + Cl⁻ → NaCl. So the reaction is HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O. Let's check the number of each atom: H: 1 (HCl) + 1 (NaOH) = 2 (H₂O) – correct. Cl: 1 (HCl) = 1 (NaCl) – correct. Na: 1 (NaOH) = 1 (NaCl) – correct. O: 1 (NaOH) = 1 (H₂O) – correct. So the balanced equation is HCl + NaOH = NaCl + H₂O.

Answer:

$\ce{HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H_{2}O}$