A beaker of nitric acid is neutralized with calcium hydroxide. Write a balanced molecular equation for this reaction

In order to balance this, you have to count each element where the elements in the reactants side and the product side should have equal number of molecules. The balanced reaction is as follows:

2HNO3 + Ca (OH) 2 = Ca (NO3) 2 + 2H2O

Instead of just giving you the answer, I'll explain to you how to do it. Trust me after this you're gonna be like "Oh, that's easy!"

Ok, so here we go.

Ca (OH) 2 + HNO3 - - > Ca (NO3) 2 + H2O

Start by examing Ca (OH) 2:

1 Ca and 2 OH 1 Ca on left and 1 Ca on right side - Ca balanced

2 OH2 on left and 1 on right side - put a 2 in front of H2O

Ca (OH) 2 + HNO3 - - > Ca (NO3) 2 + 2H2O

Now examine H: 1 H on left and 2 H on right side - H unbalanced

Place a 2 in front of HNO3

Ca (OH) 2 + 2HNO3 - - > Ca (NO3) 2 + 2H2O

Now examine NO3:

2 NO3 on left and 2 on right side - NO3 is balanced

1 Ca (OH) 2 + 2 HNO3 - - > 1 Ca (NO3) 2 + 2 H2O