Question

An aqueous solution of K3PO4 is mixed with an aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2 A. What are the ions that will be present in the mixed solution before any reaction takes place?

Answer 1

The reaction that takes place when an aqueous solution of K3PO4 is mixed with an aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2 is called a double displacement reaction.

Before any reaction takes place, the ions that will be present in the mixed solution are:

* K+ (from K3PO4)

* PO4²- (from K3PO4)

* Zn²+ (from Zn(NO3)2)

* NO3- (from Zn(NO3)2)

After both solutions have been mixed, the K+ and PO4²- ions from the K3PO4 solution will react with the Zn²+ and NO3- ions from the Zn(NO3)2 solution, forming new ions in the mixed solution:

Zn³+ + PO4³-