In the chemical reaction NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O, which molecules are the reactants?

• A. NaOH and HCl
• B. HCl and H2O
• C. NaCl and H2O
• D. NaOH and NaCl

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical equation given: \(\text{NaOH} + \text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{NaCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O}\).
2. Recall that in a chemical equation, the substances on the left side of the arrow are the reactants, and the substances on the right side are the products.
3. Look at the left side of the equation: \(\text{NaOH}\) and \(\text{HCl}\) are present before the arrow, so these are the reactants.
4. Look at the right side of the equation: \(\text{NaCl}\) and \(\text{H}_2\text{O}\) are present after the arrow, so these are the products.
5. Therefore, the molecules that are reactants in this reaction are \(\text{NaOH}\) and \(\text{HCl}\).