Final answer:
The total ionic equation for the reaction of FeCl₃ and (NH4)₃PO₄ is 3 Fe³⁺ (aq) + 3 Cl⁺ (aq) + 3 NH4⁺(aq) + PO4³⁻(aq) → FePO₄ (s) + 3 NH4⁺ (aq) + 3 Cl⁺ (aq), and the net ionic equation is 3 Fe³⁺ (aq) + PO4³⁻(aq) → FePO₄ (s).
Step-by-step explanation:
When mixing FeCl₃ and (NH4)₃PO₄, a double replacement reaction occurs. To write the balanced total ionic equation, we must first determine the products of the reaction. Iron (III) chloride (FeCl₃) reacts with ammonium phosphate ((NH4)₃PO₄) to form iron (III) phosphate (FePO₄) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl).
The products are FePO₄, which is insoluble, and NH4Cl, which is soluble in water. Thus, the balanced total ionic equation for the reaction simplifies to:
3 Fe³⁺ (aq) + 3 Cl⁺ (aq) + 3 NH4⁺(aq) + PO4³⁻(aq) → FePO₄ (s) + 3 NH4⁺ (aq) + 3 Cl⁺ (aq)
The NH4⁺ and Cl⁺ ions are spectator ions and do not participate in the reaction. They can be omitted to give the net ionic equation:
3 Fe³⁺ (aq) + PO4³⁻(aq) → FePO₄ (s)