Question

What is the net ionic equation (NIE) for the following:

1. Calcium chloride plus sodium carbonate plus hydrochloric acid

2. Aluminium nitrate plus aqueous ammonia

3. Aluminium nitrate plus aqueous ammonia plus hydrochloric acid (you should have two!)

Answer 1

1.

Balanced molecular equation:

CaCl₂(aq) + Na₂CO₃(aq) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl₂(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

Total ionic equation:

Ca²⁺(aq) + 2Na⁺(aq) + CO₃^2-(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) + 4Cl^-(aq) Ca²⁺(aq) + 2Na⁺(aq) + 4Cl^-(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

Cancelling the spectator ions (Ca²⁺(aq), Na⁺(aq), Cl^-(aq)) from both sides of the equation gives the net ionic equation.

Hence, the net ionic equation:

2H⁺(aq) + CO₃^2-(aq) CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)