A precipitate forms when solutions of sodium carbonate and calcium nitrate are combined. Write the net ionic equation for this reaction.
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To write the net ionic equation for the reaction between sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), we first need to write the molecular equation and then break it down into its respective ions.
First, let's write the molecular equation:
Na2CO3 + Ca(NO3)2 → CaCO3 + 2NaNO3
Now, let's break down the compounds into their respective ions:
Na2CO3(aq) → 2Na+(aq) + CO3^2-(aq)
Ca(NO3)2(aq) → Ca^2+(aq) + 2NO3^-(aq)
CaCO3(s) → CaCO3(s)
Notice that NaNO3 is a soluble compound and will remain in the solution as ions:
2NaNO3(aq) → 2Na+(aq) + 2NO3^-(aq)
The net ionic equation shows only the species that are involved in the actual reaction. In this case, the carbonate ion (CO3^2-) reacts with the calcium ion (Ca^2+) to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is insoluble and precipitates out of the solution. Therefore, the net ionic equation for the reaction is:
CO3^2-(aq) + Ca^2+(aq) → CaCO3(s)
This net ionic equation represents the core reaction that takes place, focusing only on the species involved in the chemical change.