Question

give the spectator ions for the reactions that occur when aqueous solutions of H2SO4 and KOH are mixed. Thank you so much.

Answer 1

Answer: The spectator ions are K+ and SO4^2-

Answer 2

Potassium ions and sulfate ions.

Step-by-step explanation

Start with the chemical equation for this reaction.

Sulfuric acid
`\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4` is a strong acid. Potassium hydroxide
`\text{KOH}` is a strong base. Acids neutralize base in aqueous environments to produce a salt and water.

That is:

Sulfuric Acid + Potassium Hydroxide → Potassium sulfate + Water

`\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \; (aq) + 2\; \text{KOH} \; (aq) \to \text{K}_2\text{SO}_4 \; (aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O} \; (l)`

Rewrite the chemical equation as an ionic one. Take all strong electrolytes- including strong acids, strong bases, and soluble salts- apart as their comprising ions. Do not take water molecules apart. As a weak electrolyte, water molecules barely disassociate to produce ions.

`2 \; \text{H}^(+) \; (aq) + \text{SO}_4^(2-) \; (aq) + 2 \; \text{K}^(+) \; (aq) + 2 \; \text{OH} \; (aq)\\ \to 2\; \text{K} \; (aq) + \text{SO}_4^(2-) \; (aq) + 2\; \text{H}_2 \text{O} \; (l)`

Ions that are present on both sides of the equation by the same quantity do not take part in the net reaction. They are thus considered spectator ions.

• Potassium ions
  `\text{K}^(+)`
• Sulfate ions
  `\text{SO}_4^(2-)`