In a chemical reaction, 18 grams of hydrochloric acid reacts with 20 grams of sodium hydroxide to produce sodium chloride and water. Which statement is correct?

The mass of water formed is 38 grams.

The mass of sodium chloride formed is 38 grams.

The total mass of sodium chloride and water formed is greater than 35 grams.

The total mass of sodium chloride and water formed is less than 35 grams.

The total mass of sodium chloride and water formed is greater than 35 grams.

Explanation:

We are given;

Mass of HCl as 18 g Mass of NaOH as 20 g

In this case, HCl will react with NaOH to form salt and water.

The equation for the reaction is;

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

We are going to first determine the rate limiting reactant

Moles of HCl = 18 g : 26.46 g/mol

= 0.68 moles

Moles of NaOH = 20 g : 40.0 g/mol

= 0.5 moles

From the equation 1 mole of HCl reacts with 1 mole of NaOH

Therefore;

NaOH is the rate limiting reactant and HCl is in excess

Now, we can determine the amount of H₂O and NaCl

1 mole of NaOH reacts to produce 1 mole of H₂O and 1 mole of NaCl

Therefore;

Moles of NaOH = moles of water = moles of NaCl

Thus;

Moles of NaCl = 0.5 moles

Moles of H₂O = 0.5 moles

But, mass = moles * molar mass

Mass of water = 0.5 moles * 18.02 g/mol

= 9.01 g

Mass of NaCl = 0.5 moles * 58.44 g/mol

= 29.22 g

Thus, the total mass of water and NaCl is 38.23 g

Therefore, the correct answer is, the total mass of sodium chloride and water formed is greater than 35 grams.