Question

Identify the net ionic equation for the following reaction:

2NaCl(aq) + Hg₂(NO₃)2(aq) + 2NaNO₃(aq) + Hg₂Cl₂(S)

A) 2Hg⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → 2HgCl(s)
B) Hg₂²⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → Hg₂Cl₂(s)
C) Hg₂²⁺(aq) → Hg₂(s)
D) Na⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻ (aq) - NaNO₃(aq)
E) Hg₂(NO₃)₂(aq) → Hg₂²⁺(aq) + 2NO₃⁻(aq)

Answer 1

The net ionic equation for the reaction of sodium chloride with mercury(I) nitrate forming mercury(I) chloride is B) Hg₂²⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → Hg₂Cl₂(s). Sodium and nitrate ions are spectator ions and not included in the net ionic equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net ionic equation for the reaction 2NaCl(aq) + Hg₂(NO₃)₂(aq) + 2NaNO₃(aq) + Hg₂Cl₂(s) is B) Hg₂²⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → Hg₂Cl₂(s).

Explanation: In a net ionic equation, we only include the species that actually change during the course of the reaction. The sodium ions (Na⁺) and the nitrate ions (NO₃⁻) are spectator ions as they appear unchanged on both sides of the equation. Thus, they are not included in the net ionic equation. The mercury(I) ion is represented as Hg₂²⁺, which reacts with chloride ions (Cl⁻) to form Hg₂Cl₂, a solid precipitate.