Question

Balance and complete the precipitation reaction and the write balanced net ionic equation

AgNO3 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq) —>

Net ionic equation:

(Please explain how answers were derived please so I can understand)

Answer 1

Balanced equation

2AgNO₃ + Na₂SO₄ -----> Ag₂SO₄ (ppt) + 2 NaNO₃

Explanation for balancing the equation:

AgNO₃ + Na₂SO₄ -----> Ag₂SO₄ (ppt) + NaNO₃

The product silversulphate has two silver ions (Ag₂SO₄). So lets put two moles of AgNO₃ in the reactant (left side of the eqn). Now two NO₃ are to be balanced in the product NaNO₃. This can be done by putting 2 NaNO₃ so that the sodium ion also gets balanced in the left and right hand side of the equation.

Net Ionic Equation:

This reaction is done in water. All the ions dissolved in water are written in the form of ionic equation. For example, if we dissolve NaOH in water we can write the ionic state as Na⁺ + OH^-. If we add HCl into the NaOH solution then the reaction happens to form NaCl and H₂O. Now the ionic equation can be written as Na⁺+OH^- +H⁺+Cl^-.....>Na⁺ + Cl^-

The same way the given reaction's ionic equation can be written as,

2Ag⁺ +2NO₃^- + 2Na⁺ + SO₄^2---> Ag₂SO₄ (ppt) + 2 Na⁺+ 2NO₃^-

The net ionic equation is written by removing the same ionic parts appearing both the sides of the equation. Here2Na⁺ and 2NO₃^- ions are present both the sides. Removing them and writing the equation now as,

2Ag⁺ + SO₄^2- ----> Ag₂SO₄ (ppt): This is net ionic equation.