True or False: The reaction HCl(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) involves changes in oxidation numbers and is therefore classified as a redox reaction

Answer: False

Explanation: The reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) does not involve any changes in oxidation numbers. Therefore, it is not classified as a redox reaction.

In this reaction, the oxidation states of all the elements remain the same before and after the reaction:

• Hydrogen (H) remains at +1.
• Chlorine (Cl) remains at -1.
• Sodium (Na) remains at +1.
• Carbon (C) remains at +4.
• Oxygen (O) remains at -2.

Since there are no changes in the oxidation numbers of any of the elements involved, this reaction is not a redox reaction. Instead, it is an example of an acid-base reaction followed by a decomposition reaction.