Question

Give the net ionic equation for the reaction (if any) that occurs when aqueous solutions of Na₂CO₃ and HCl are mixed.

Answer 1

The net ionic equation for the reaction of Na2CO3 and HCl is H+(aq) + CO3^2-(aq) → CO2(g) + H2O(l), with sodium and chloride ions being spectator ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When mixing aqueous solutions of Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) and HCl (hydrochloric acid), a double displacement reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O). The balanced molecular equation for this reaction is:

Na2CO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

Upon dissociation in aqueous solution, the complete ionic equation is:

2Na+(aq) + CO32-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → 2Na+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

The sodium and chloride ions are spectator ions and do not participate directly in the reaction. Hence, they are removed from the ionic equation to obtain the net ionic equation:

H+(aq) + CO32-(aq) → CO2(g) + H2O(l)

This is the simplified representation of the reaction, showing only the species involved in the chemical change.