Final answer:
To write the net ionic equation for the reaction between sodium sulfide and excess hydrobromic acid, first write the complete molecular equation, then write the complete ionic equation, and finally cancel the spectator ions to obtain the net ionic equation: S2-(aq) + 2H+(aq) → H2S(g).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves writing a net ionic equation for the reaction when sodium sulfide and excess hydrobromic acid are combined. The complete balanced molecular equation for this reaction looks like:
Na2S(aq) + 2HBr(aq) → 2NaBr(aq) + H2S(g)
The complete ionic equation breaks all soluble ionic compounds into their ions:
2Na+(aq) + S2-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2Br-(aq) → 2Na+(aq) + 2Br-(aq) + H2S(g)
After canceling the spectator ions (Na+ and Br-), the net ionic equation would be:
S2-(aq) + 2H+(aq) → H2S(g)