To determine the number of moles of carbon dioxide that is produced, we need to know the reaction of the process. For the reaction of HCl and sodium carbonate, the balanced chemical equation would be expressed as:
2HCl + Na2CO3 = 2NaCl + H2O + CO2
From the initial amount given of sodium carbonate and the relation of the substances from the balanced reaction, we calculate the moles of carbon dioxide as follows:
0.2 moles Na2Co3 ( 1 mol CO2 / 1 mol Na2Co3 ) = 0.2 moles CO2
Therefore, the amount in moles of carbon dioxide that is produced from 0.2 moles sodium carbonate would be 0.2 moles as well.
