Final answer:
The net ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous H₂SO₄ and KOH, resulting in water and potassium sulfate, is 2 H⁺ (aq) + 2 OH⁻ (aq) → 2 H₂O (l), where potassium and sulfate ions are spectator ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Net Ionic Equation for H₂SO₄ and KOH Reaction
When aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) are mixed, they undergo a double displacement reaction that is also a neutralization reaction. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:
H₂SO₄ (aq) + 2 KOH (aq) → K₂SO₄ (aq) + 2 H₂O (l)
Sulfuric acid is a strong acid and potassium hydroxide is a strong base. In this reaction, the hydrogen ions from H₂SO₄ react with hydroxide ions from KOH to form water, and the potassium ions combine with the sulfate ions to form potassium sulfate, which is a soluble salt. The net ionic equation involves only the ions that participate directly in the reaction:
2 H⁺ (aq) + 2 OH⁻ (aq) → 2 H₂O (l)
Potassium ions (K⁺) and sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) are spectator ions and do not participate in the reaction, so they are not included in the net ionic equation. The potassium sulfate is the salt that is formed in the reaction.