Write a net ionic equation for the overall reaction that occurs when aqueous solutions of potassium hydroxide and oxalic acid (H2C2O4) are combined.
To write the net ionic equation for the reaction between potassium hydroxide (KOH) and oxalic acid (H2C2O4), we first need to write the balanced equation for the reaction.
Step 1: Write the balanced molecular equation:
KOH (aq) + H2C2O4 (aq) → K2C2O4 (aq) + H2O (l)
Step 2: Split all the soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
K+ (aq) + OH- (aq) + H+ (aq) + C2O4 2- (aq) → K+ (aq) + C2O4 2- (aq) + H2O (l)
Step 3: Cancel out the common ions on both sides of the equation to get the net ionic equation:
OH- (aq) + H+ (aq) → H2O (l)
Therefore, the net ionic equation for the reaction between potassium hydroxide and oxalic acid is:
OH- (aq) + H+ (aq) → H2O (l)