Final answer:
The reaction between aqueous copper(II) chloride (CuCl2) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is a double replacement reaction, where the insoluble copper(II) carbonate (CuCO3) forms as a precipitate and sodium chloride (NaCl) remains in solution as ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction between CuCl2(aq) and Na2CO3(aq) is a double replacement (precipitation) reaction. The products of this reaction are a soluble salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), and an insoluble compound, copper(II) carbonate (CuCO3), which will precipitate. According to solubility rules, all carbonates are insoluble except for those containing potassium, sodium, and ammonium ions. Therefore, Na2CO3 remains as ions in the solution, while CuCO3 forms as a solid precipitate. The balanced complete ionic equation is:
- 2 Na+ (aq) + CO32- (aq) + Cu2+ (aq) + 2 Cl- (aq) → CuCO3 (s) + 2 Na+ (aq) + 2 Cl- (aq)
The net ionic equation, which shows only the species that actually change during the reaction, is:
- Cu2+ (aq) + CO32- (aq) → CuCO3 (s)