Question

Nitric acid is a strong acid, sodium hydroxide is a strong base, and sodium nitrate is a soluble salt. Which of the following is the net ionic equation for the reaction?

HNO_3(aq) + NaOH(aq) ------------->NaNO_3(aq) + H_2O(l)
A) H^+(aq) + OH^-(aq) ---------------->H_2O(l)
B) NO_3^-(aq) + Na^+(aq)-----------> NaNO_3(s)
C) H^+(aq) + NaOH(aq) ------------>Na^+(aq) + H_2O(l)
D) HNO_3(aq) + OH^-(aq)---------> NO_3^-(aq) + H_2O(l)
E) none of the above

Answer 1

The correct net ionic equation for the reaction between nitric acid and sodium hydroxide is H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l), which corresponds to option A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net ionic equation for the reaction between nitric acid (HNO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and water (H2O) is best represented by the scenario where the hydrogen ions (H+) from the strong acid combine with the hydroxide ions (OH-) from the strong base to form water. Both nitric acid and sodium hydroxide are strong electrolytes and will dissociate completely in an aqueous solution. Sodium and nitrate ions will be spectator ions in this reaction. Therefore, the correct net ionic equation is:

H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l)

This corresponds to option A from the choices provided. The net ionic equation simplifies to the combination of a hydrogen ion with a hydroxide ion to produce water, and this is characteristic of a neutralization reaction between a strong acid and a strong base.