Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between NaI(aq) and Hg2(C2H3O2)2(aq)?

• A. NaI(aq) + Hg2(C2H3O2)2(aq) → Hg2I2(s) + NaC2H3O2(aq)
• B. 2 NaI(aq) + Hg2(C2H3O2)2(aq) → Hg2I2(s) + 2 NaC2H3O2(aq)
• C. 2 NaI(aq) + Hg2(C2H3O2)2(aq) → 2 HgI2(s) + 2 NaC2H3O2(aq)
• D. NaI(aq) + Hg2(C2H3O2)2(aq) → HgI2(s) + 2 NaC2H3O2(aq)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical reaction: sodium iodide (NaI) reacts with mercury(I) acetate (Hg2(C2H3O2)2) to form mercury(I) iodide (Hg2I2) and sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\text{NaI}(aq) + \text{Hg}_2(\text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2)_2(aq) \rightarrow \text{Hg}_2\text{I}_2(s) + \text{NaC}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2(aq)\).
3. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. For example, on the reactant side, count Na, I, Hg, C, H, and O atoms, and do the same on the product side.
4. Balance the equation by adjusting coefficients to ensure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Since Hg2I2 contains two mercury atoms and two iodine atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of NaI and NaC2H3O2 to balance sodium and iodine atoms.
5. Verify that all elements are balanced and that the equation obeys the law of conservation of mass, confirming the balanced equation is: \$2 \text{NaI}(aq) + \text{Hg}_2(\text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2)_2(aq) \rightarrow \text{Hg}_2\text{I}_2(s) + 2 \text{NaC}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2(aq)$.