Write out the balanced chemical equation and the net ionic equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, using smallest whole number stoichiometric coefficients.

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) ⇒ NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l)

H⁺(aq) + OH⁻ ⇒ H₂O(l)

Explanation:

Let's consider the balanced chemical equation (molecular equation) for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. This is a neutralization reaction.

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) ⇒ NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l)

The complete ionic equation includes all the ions and the molecular species.

H⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) + Na⁺(aq) + OH⁻ ⇒ Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) + H₂O(l)

The net ionic equation includes only the ions that participate in the reaction (not spectator ions) and the molecular species.

H⁺(aq) + OH⁻ ⇒ H₂O(l)