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To neutralize the spilled nitric acid, the mass of sodium bicarbonate required can be calculated using the balanced chemical equation and stoichiometry:
2HNO3 + Na2CO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O + CO2
From the equation, 2 moles of HNO3 react with 1 mole of Na2CO3.
Given volume of HNO3 = 100.0 mL = 0.1 L
Concentration of HNO3 = 3.0 mol/L
Therefore, moles of HNO3 = 0.1 L × 3.0 mol/L = 0.3 mol
According to the stoichiometry, 0.3 mol of HNO3 will react with 0.15 mol of Na2CO3.
Molar mass of Na2CO3 = 106 g/mol
Therefore, the mass of sodium bicarbonate required = 0.15 mol × 106 g/mol = 15.9 g