Sodium, this neutral atom with a loosely-held outermost electron, is now in the presence of water. This isn't just the neutral H2O molecules, but the hydroxyl ions and the individual protons.

The atoms in the products are: 1 calcium atom, 2 chlorine atoms, 2 sodium atoms, 2 hydrogen atoms, 2 carbon atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms; The chemical equation is balanced because the same type and ...