In the net ionic equation for the neutraliza- tion reaction between hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the HF is rep- resented as
1. the molecule, HF.
2. neither the molecule nor the separated ions since it is a spectator in the reaction.
3. the separated ions, H+ and F-.
4. either as molecule or the separated ions.
What do you think and why?
To determine the representation of hydrofluoric acid (HF) in the net ionic equation for the neutralization reaction with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), we need to understand what happens during the reaction.
In a neutralization reaction between an acid and a base, the acid donates a proton (H+) to the base. This forms water (H2O) and a salt. When HF reacts with NaOH, the following reaction occurs:
HF + NaOH -> H2O + NaF
To write the net ionic equation, we need to consider only the species that participate directly in the reaction. Any spectator ions that remain unchanged throughout the reaction can be omitted.
In this case, the sodium ion (Na+) and the fluoride ion (F-) are spectator ions. They exist on both sides of the equation and do not undergo any change. Therefore, option 3, "the separated ions, H+ and F-," is the correct representation of HF in the net ionic equation.