Chemical Equation Question?

Question

Equal volumes of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide are mixed.

Why is it H2SO4 + NaOH = NaHSO4 + HOH?

Can someone please explain the reaction in detail?

At first I thought the reaction will create products: Na2SO4 and HOH.

Answer 1

neutralization rxn.  

Answer 2

H2SO4 loses one H+ to become negatively charged.

The loose Na+ then attaches to the HSO4-, making NaHSO4

Because there are equal volumes of both, you won't get a loose SO4(2-), it's too unstable. But if you had an excess of NaOH, then you might get some Na(2)SO4 with the reaction:

H2SO4 + 2NaOH = Na(2)SO4 + 2HOH?

Notice that for your "first thought", one H atom would have to dissapear (3 H on the left, 2 on the right)