Write balanced ionic equations for the following reactions. (b) Aqueous sodium hydroxide is neutralized by aqueous acetic acid.

A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt. In this context, acetic acid (a weak acid) reacts with sodium hydroxide (a strong base) to form water and sodium acetate. Understanding this concept is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction and writing the balanced equation.

Ionic equations represent the species involved in a chemical reaction in their ionic forms. In the case of the neutralization of acetic acid by sodium hydroxide, the complete ionic equation shows all soluble ionic compounds as ions. This helps in identifying the actual participants in the reaction, particularly the formation of water from hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, adhering to the law of conservation of mass. For the reaction between sodium hydroxide and acetic acid, balancing involves ensuring that the total number of each type of ion is equal before and after the reaction, which is essential for accurately representing the chemical process.