Identify the correct balanced equation and net ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium carbonate.

• A. HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g); Net ionic equation: CO3^2- (aq) + 2 H^+ (aq) → H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
• B. 2 HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → NaCl (aq) + 2 H2O (l) + CO2 (g); Net ionic equation: CO3^2- (aq) + 2 H^+ (aq) → 2 H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
• C. HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g); Net ionic equation: CO3^2- (aq) + H^+ (aq) → H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
• D. 2 HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → 2 NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g); Net ionic equation: CO3^2- (aq) + 2 H^+ (aq) → H2O (l) + CO2 (g)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical reaction: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) are the reactants, while sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) are the products.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g).
3. Balance the chemical equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Start by balancing the sodium (Na) atoms: 2 HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → 2 NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g).
4. Next, balance the hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) atoms. Since there are 2 HCl molecules, the equation is already balanced for H and Cl: 2 HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → 2 NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g).
5. Write the net ionic equation by removing the spectator ions (Na^+ and Cl^-). The net ionic equation focuses on the species that undergo a chemical change: CO3^2- (aq) + 2 H^+ (aq) → H2O (l) + CO2 (g).