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What are the products of the reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate?

Sodium Acetate + Water + Oxygen

Sodium Ethanoate + Hydrogen

Carbon Dioxide + Sodium Ethanoate + Water

The reaction between ethanoic acid (acetic acid) and sodium carbonate involves an acid-base neutralization reaction that also produces gas. When ethanoic acid, a weak acid, reacts with sodium carbonate, which is a basic salt, the carbonate ion (CO3^2-) reacts with hydrogen ions (H+) released from the ethanoic acid. This results in the formation of carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is unstable and decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

As a result of the reaction, sodium ethanoate (also known as sodium acetate) is formed. The overall reaction can be summarized as:

\[ \text{2 CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightarrow 2 \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} + \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{CO}_2 \]

This shows that carbon dioxide, sodium ethanoate, and water are produced, aligning perfectly with the articulated products in the correct answer. The presence of carbon dioxide as a by-product is a distinguishing factor in this reaction, leading to the characteristic

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Carbon Dioxide + Acetic Acid

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