What is the net ionic equation for this reaction?
3CuCl2(aq) + 2K3PO4(aq) = Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 6KCl(aq)
To determine the net ionic equation for a reaction, you need to first write the balanced molecular equation and then identify the soluble ionic compounds and break them into their respective ions. Finally, you cancel out the spectator ions that appear on both sides of the equation to obtain the net ionic equation.
Here's how you can get the net ionic equation for the given reaction:
Step 1: Write the balanced molecular equation:
3CuCl2(aq) + 2K3PO4(aq) = Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 6KCl(aq)
Step 2: Break down the soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
CuCl2 dissociates into Cu2+ and 2Cl-
K3PO4 dissociates into 3K+ and PO43-
Cu3(PO4)2 does not dissociate as it is a solid
KCl dissociates into K+ and Cl-
Step 3: Write the ionic equation:
3Cu2+(aq) + 6Cl-(aq) + 6K+(aq) + 2PO43-(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 6K+(aq) + 6Cl-(aq)
Step 4: Cancel out the spectator ions (ions that appear on both sides of the equation):
The 6K+ and 6Cl- ions appear on both sides and can be canceled out.
So, the net ionic equation for the reaction is:
3Cu2+(aq) + 2PO43-(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s)
The net ionic equation represents the actual chemical change occurring in the reaction, while canceling out the spectator ions that do not participate in the reaction.