The reaction between aluminum chloride and potassium hydroxide produces insoluble aluminum hydroxide as a white precipitate, confirming a double displacement or precipitation reaction. The balanced equation adheres to the law of conservation of mass.
The chemical equation for the reaction between aluminum chloride (
) and a solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) involves the formation of a precipitate. When aluminum chloride reacts with potassium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and potassium chloride (KCl) are formed:
![\[ AlCl_3 (aq) + 3KOH (aq) \rightarrow Al(OH)_3 (s) + 3KCl (aq) \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/chemistry/college/9umckpootjc47uwtu8lw8gekho1gkwdrm1.png)
In this balanced chemical equation, aluminum chloride in solution reacts with potassium hydroxide to produce aluminum hydroxide, which is insoluble and precipitates out of the solution. The potassium chloride remains in solution. This type of reaction is known as a double displacement or precipitation reaction.
The balanced equation ensures that the same number of atoms of each element is present on both sides of the reaction, maintaining the law of conservation of mass. The resulting aluminum hydroxide may appear as a gelatinous, white precipitate, indicating the completion of the reaction.