Final answer:
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) → 2NaNO3(aq) + PbCl2(s) is our balanced equation.
The net ionic equation for the reaction between Pb(NO3)2 and NaCl, which forms PbCl2 and NaNO3, focuses on the chemical change involving lead(II) ions and chloride ions forming the precipitate PbCl2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Net Ionic Equation for Pb(NO3)2 and NaCl Reaction
When lead(II) nitrate, Pb(NO3)2, reacts with sodium chloride, NaCl, a precipitation reaction occurs, forming lead(II) chloride, PbCl2, and sodium nitrate, NaNO3.
The balanced molecular equation for this reaction is:
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) → 2NaNO3(aq) + PbCl2(s)
To write the net ionic equation, we must first identify the ions that undergo a chemical change.
Sodium ions (Na+) and nitrate ions (NO3-) are spectator ions and do not participate in the formation of the precipitate. Therefore, the net ionic equation focuses on the lead(II) ions (Pb2+) and chloride ions (Cl-) that combine to form the insoluble salt, PbCl2:
Pb2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → PbCl2(s)
We can verify that the number of each type of atom and polyatomic ion is the same on both sides of the net ionic equation, which demonstrates that mass is conserved.