What is the net ionic equation for the reaction between H2SO4 and NaOH?

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Q: What is the net ionic equation for the reaction between H2SO4 and NaOH?

Solution: The net ionic equation shows the formation of water from hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide). The balanced equation is: H2SO4 + 2 NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O.
Step 2: Identify the strong electrolytes in the reaction. H2SO4 and NaOH are strong acids and bases, so they dissociate completely in water.
Step 3: Write the complete ionic equation by showing all the ions present in the solution. This gives: 2 H+ + SO4^2- + 2 Na+ + 2 OH- → 2 Na+ + SO4^2- + 2 H2O.
Step 4: Cancel out the spectator ions (ions that do not change during the reaction). In this case, Na+ and SO4^2- are spectator ions.
Step 5: Write the net ionic equation by including only the ions that participate in the reaction. The net ionic equation is: 2 H+ + 2 OH- → 2 H2O.
Step 6: Simplify the net ionic equation if possible. This can be simplified to: H+ + OH- → H2O.