What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to sodium carbonate? Write balanced equation of the reaction involved. (b)Which gas is liberated when dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium carbonate? How will you test for the presence of this gas?

1. a) When dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium carbonate, then sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and water are formed.

NaHCO3(s) + 2 HCl → 2NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

(b) Carbon dioxide gas is liberated during the reaction

The gas evolved when the acid reacts with sodium carbonate is passed through lime water, lime water turns milky or white precipitate of calcium carbonate is formed. This confirms the presence of carbon dioxide.