Question

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate KH2PO4 and sodium nitrate NaNO2 solutions are mixed together in a beaker. Determine the net ionic equation for the most likely acid-base reaction.

Answer 1

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and sodium nitrate (NaNO2)

Molecular equation:

KH₂PO₄ (aq) + 3NaNO₂(aq) → Na₃PO₄(s) + KNO₂(aq) + 2HNO₂ (aq)

The net ionic equation is:

3Na⁺(aq) + PO₄⁻(aq) → Na₃PO₄(s)

The rest of the ions are spectator ions and tend to cancel out on both sides of the reaction.