The reaction between sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a type of chemical reaction known as an acid-base reaction or a neutralization reaction.
In this reaction, the acid (HCl) and the base (NaHCO3) react to form a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is as follows:
NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2
The hydrochloric acid donates a hydrogen ion (H+) to the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) from sodium bicarbonate. This proton transfer results in the formation of water (H2O) and the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The remaining ions, sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-), combine to form sodium chloride (NaCl), which is a salt.
Overall, this reaction demonstrates the typical characteristics of an acid-base reaction, where an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water.