Answer to Question #85765 in General Chemistry for Britt

Question

3. Baking soda is often poured on the terminals of old car/truck batteries before removing them? What are they trying to do? Write the chemical equation for the reaction that’s occurring.

Answer 1

Baking soda is often poured on the terminals of old car/truck batteries to remove possible electrolyte residues.

2NaHCO₃ + H₂SO₄ = Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O + 2CO₂↑

2Na⁺ + 2HCO3^- + 2H⁺ +SO₄^2- = 2Na⁺ + SO₄^2- + 2H₂O + 2CO₂↑

2HCO₃^- + 2H⁺ = 2H₂O + 2CO₂↑