Final answer:
A net ionic equation cannot be written for the mixing of aqueous benzoic acid and sodium fluoride as they do not react to form a precipitate, gas, or weak electrolyte.The net ionic equation for the reaction is C6H5COOH(aq) + F-(aq) → HF(aq) + C6H5COO-(aq).
Step-by-step explanation:
The net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs when equal volumes of 0.056 M aqueous benzoic acid and sodium fluoride are mixed cannot be written because benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) and sodium fluoride (NaF) do not react in a way that produces a net ionic equation. Benzoic acid is a weak acid and does not dissociate completely in water, while sodium fluoride is a salt that comes from the neutralization of hydrofluoric acid (a weak acid) with sodium hydroxide (a strong base).
Typically, a net ionic equation would be written for reactions where a precipitate, gas, or weak electrolyte is formed. In this case, no such reaction occurs, and both benzoic acid and sodium fluoride remain in solution as separate species. Therefore, no significant reaction occurs, and a net ionic equation is not applicable for the mixture of these two solutions.The net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs when equal volumes of 0.056 M aqueous benzoic acid and sodium fluoride are mixed is:
C6H5COOH(aq) + F-(aq) → HF(aq) + C6H5COO-(aq)
In this reaction, the benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) donates a hydrogen ion (H+) to the fluoride ion (F-), forming hydrofluoric acid (HF). The benzoate ion (C6H5COO-) is produced as a result. This net ionic equation represents the essential chemical change that occurs in the reaction.