15 Facts On HCl +K2CO3: What, How To Balance, And FAQ

Hydrochloric acid and Potassium Carbonate both are inorganic compounds. Let us look into the chemical reactions occurred when potassium carbonate is treated with an acid like HCl.

Hydrochloric acid is a colourless liquid commonly known as muriatic acid. The various physical properties like melting point, boiling point, and density depend on the concentration of this acid. Potassium carbonate is a white solid which is commonly known as pearl ash. It is highly soluble in water.

In this section, we will learn many facts about the reaction of HCl+K2CO3 such as the type of reaction, how to balance the chemical reaction, conjugate pairs, etc.

What Is The Product Of HCl and K2CO3  

An aqueous solution of potassium chloride i.e. KCl with the vigorous release of Carbon dioxide gas i.e CO2 formed when potassium carbonate is reacted with Hydrochloric acid.

HCl (l) + K2CO3 (s)  =  KCl (aq) +CO2(g)+ H2O (l)

What Type Of Reaction Is HCl + K2CO3

The reaction between HCl and K2CO3is a double displacement reaction due to the formation of H2CO3 in the 1st step when HCl reacts with K2CO3 followed by a decomposition reaction in which carbonic acid i.e. H2CO3 decomposes to the release of CO2.

How To Balance HCl + K2CO3

Follow the given steps to balance a chemical equation.

Step-1: Write The Elemental Equation

The elemental equation of the reaction between HCl and K2CO3 is

  • HCl (l) + K2CO3 (s)  =  KCl(aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

Step-2: List The Number Of Atoms Present In the Reactant & Product

Symbol Of Atoms Present In LHSNumber Of Atoms In LHSSymbol of Atoms Present In RHSNumber Of Atoms In RHS
H1H2
Cl1Cl1
K2K1
C1C1
O3O3
Number of Atoms Present In Reactant & Product

Step-3: Compare And Balance The Number Of Atoms In the Reactant & Product

To write a balanced chemical equation we need to multiply 2 with potassium atom in RHS, multiply 2 with Hydrogen atom in LHS, and multiply 2 with Chlorine atom in both LHS and RHS.

Step-4: Write The Balanced Chemical Equation

The number of atoms in reactants and products is balanced now. Incorporate the same in the chemical equation, write the coefficient 2 before HCl in the reactant of the elemental equation and write 2 along with KCl in the product as well. Thus the final balanced equation will be :

  • 2HCl (l) + K2CO3 (s)  = 2 KCl(aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

HCl + K2CO3 Titration

Apparatus and Chemical Reagent Required

  • Burette
  • Pipette
  • 250 ml beaker
  • Measuring flask
  • Conical flask
  • Funnel
  • Filter paper
  • Watch glass
  • Distilled water
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Potassium carbonate

Indicator

Methyl Orange indicator is used to show the endpoint while titrating HCl with K2CO3.

Procedure

  • Rinse all the apparatus before starting the procedure.
  • Measure out and fill the burette with K2CO3 of unknown strength.
  • With the help of a pipette measure a suitable amount of HCl solution of known strength and put it into a clean conical flask.
  • Two drops of methyl orange indicator are to be added to the flask
  • Set the burette in a burette stand and add K2CO3 solution to the conical flask with constant staring in a dropwise manner until the color of the acidic solution changes to light pink.
  • Repeat the same process to find out three concordant readings.
  • The readings can be recorded in the following table
Sl no.Initial Burette ReadingFinal Burette Reading
Change In Volume Of K2CO3
1x cm3y cm3(y-x)cm3
2a cm3b cm3(b-a)cm3
3p cm3q cm3(q-p) cm3
HCl & K2CO3 Titration Table
  • Calculate the average volume i.e V ml of Calcium Hydroxide used during the reaction and use the value to find out the strength of Hydrochloric acid.
  • The concentration of K2CO3 can be calculated by using volumetric analysis i.e. [K2CO3]M1V1 = [HCl] M2V2. where M is the strength of the solution and V is the volume.

HCl + K2CO3 Net Ionic Equation

  • First, we need to write the balanced chemical equation i.e.

  2HCl (l) + K2CO3 (s)  =  2 KCl(aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

  • Then break the balanced equation into ionic form i.e.

  2H+(aq)+ 2Cl (aq) + K2CO3 (s) =  2K+aq)+ 2Cl (aq) + CO2 (g) +H2O (l)

  •  In the final step cancel all the spectator ions and the net ionic equation can be written as,

2H+(aq)+ K2CO3 (s) =  2K+(aq)+ CO2 (g)+ H2O (l)

HCl + K2CO3 Conjugate Pairs

  • The conjugate base of the strong acid Hydrochloric acid is Cl ion.
  • The conjugate acid Potassium carbonate is  KHCO3.

HCl And K2CO3 Intermolecular Forces

The intermolecular force that exists in the HCl molecule is dipole-dipole interaction and Vander Waal’s force of attraction due to its polar nature. The intermolecular force of attraction that exists in other reactant and products when HCl react with K2CO3 are summarized below.

MoleculeIntermolecular Force Of Attraction
HClDipole-Dipole Interaction
Vander Waal’s Force
K2CO3Ionic
KClIonic
CO2Covalent
H2OH-bonding
Intermolecular Force Of Attraction Of Different Molecules

HCl And K2CO3 Reaction Enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy or heat change between reactants and products when HCl reacts with K2CO3 is -33.96kJ/mol.

Is HCl + K2CO3 A Buffer Solution

HCl and K2CO3 is not buffer solution because HCl is a strong acid and K2CO3 is a weak base.

Is HCl + K2CO3 A Complete Reaction

The reaction of HCl and K2CO3 is a complete reaction due to the formation of neutral salt KCl with highly stable CO2 and H2O.

Is HCl + K2CO3 An Exothermic & Endothermic Reaction

The reaction between HCl and K2CO3 is an exothermic reaction as the enthalpy change during the chemical reaction is negative.

Is HCl + K2CO3 A Redox Reaction

The reaction of HCl with K2CO3 is not a redox reaction because here increase and decrease in oxidation state are not taking place simultaneously.

Is HCl + K2CO3 A Precipitation Reaction

The reaction of HCl and K2CO3 is not a precipitation reaction as the product formed during the chemical reaction i.e. KCl is a readily soluble salt.

Is HCl + K2CO3 Reversible or Irreversible Reaction

The reaction between HCl and K2CO3 is an irreversible reaction because it is a decomposition reaction in which CO2 and H2O form. As CO2 and H2O both are highly stable, they will not further react as reactants.

Is HCl + K2CO3 Displacement Reaction

The reaction that takes place between HCl and K2CO3 is not a displacement reaction as here two ionic species interchange during the reaction whereas in a displacement reaction replacement of only one chemical element occurs.

Conclusion

Hydrochloric acid and Calcium Oxide both are widely used as laboratory reagents. The product formed from this reaction i.e. potassium Chloride is used as medicine to treat the low potassium level in the body, also used as fertilizer.