Final answer:
When hydrochloric acid is mixed with sodium bicarbonate, an acid-base neutralization reaction occurs resulting in the evolution of carbon dioxide gas, formation of water, and sodium chloride salt. The correct answer is D) Gas evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) is mixed with a solution of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), an acid-base neutralization reaction occurs. Despite the information provided discussing the reaction of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a similarly behaving compound, sodium bicarbonate is the compound of interest in this question. The reaction of HCl with NaHCO₃ involves the production of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas, water (H₂O), and sodium chloride (NaCl) salt.
The chemical equation for the reaction is as follows:
- HCl(aq) + NaHCO₃(aq) → CO₂(g) + H₂O(l) + NaCl(aq)
This is an example of a gas evolution reaction, where carbon dioxide is the gas evolved. While neutralization reactions typically produce water and a salt, the presence of the bicarbonate ion allows for the additional production of CO₂ gas in this case. Hence, the correct answer to the student's question is D) Gas evolution.