Balance the following equation stepwise: NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)

Balanced equation: \(\mathrm{2NaOH(aq) + H_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow Na_2SO_4(aq) + 2H_2O(l)}\)

Step 1: Count atoms. Left: Na = 1, O = 1 + 4 = 5, H = 1 + 2 = 3, S = 1. Right: Na = 2, S = 1, O = 4 + 1 = 5, H = 2.

Step 2: Balance sodium. Write \(\mathrm{2NaOH}\). Now left side: H = 2 + 2 = 4, O = 2 + 4 = 6.

Step 3: Balance hydrogen and oxygen. Write \(\mathrm{2H_2O}\) on the right. Right side: H = 4, O = 4 + 2 = 6.

Step 4: Check. Na: 2 = 2, S: 1 = 1, O: 6 = 6, H: 4 = 4. Balanced. This is a neutralization reaction.