Question

Based on the solubility rules, which of the following processes will occur if solutions of calcium nitrate and sodium carbonate are mixed?

o No precipitate will form
o CaCO₃ will precipitate: Na⁺ and NO₃⁻ are spectator ions.
o NaNO, will precipitate: Ca²⁺ and CO₂ are spectator ions.
o Na₂CO₃ will precipitate: Ca²⁺ and NO₃⁻ are spectator ions.
o Ca(NO₃)₂ will precipitate; Na⁺ and CO₂ are spectator ions.

Answer 1

A precipitation reaction occurs when calcium nitrate and sodium carbonate are mixed, resulting in the formation of insoluble calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a precipitate. Sodium and nitrate ions are spectator ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When solutions of calcium nitrate and sodium carbonate are mixed, the solubility rules indicate that a precipitation reaction will likely take place. Calcium nitrate is highly soluble in water and dissociates into calcium ions (Ca2+) and nitrate ions (NO3-). Sodium carbonate also dissolves in water, forming sodium ions (Na+) and carbonate ions (CO32-). According to the solubility rules, all carbonates are insoluble in water except those of potassium, sodium, and ammonium. Thus, when these two solutions are combined, a double-replacement reaction occurs, and calcium carbonate, an insoluble compound, precipitates out of the solution. The balanced chemical equation representing this reaction is:

Ca(NO3)2(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) → CaCO3(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)

Therefore, the correct response is that CaCO3 will precipitate: Na+ and NO3- are spectator ions.