Chapter 17, Problem 114A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To write the net ionic equation for the given chemical reaction.

Concept introduction: In a total ionic equation, all the aqueous compounds are dissociated into their ions.

Spectator ions are ions that are present on both sides of the chemical equation. When the spectator ions are removed from the total ionic equation, we get the net ionic equation.

Answer to Problem 114A

The total ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and silver acetate is ${\text{Ag}}^{+}{\text{(aq)+Cl}}^{-1}\text{(aq)}\to \text{AgCl(s)}$

Explanation of Solution

The total ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and silver acetate is

  ${\text{Na}}^{\text{+}}{\text{(aq) +Cl}}^{-1}{\text{(aq)+Ag}}^{+}{\text{(aq)+CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COO}}^{\text{-1}}\text{(aq)}\to {\text{Na}}^{\text{+}}{\text{(aq) +CH}}_3{\text{COO}}^{\text{-1}}\text{(aq)+AgCl(s)}$

Here we can see sodium ${\text{(Na}}^{\text{+}}\text{)}$ and acetate ${\text{(CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COO}}^{\text{-1}}\text{)}$ ions are present on both sides; thus, they are spectator ions. In order to get the net ionic equation, spectator ions are removed to get the net ionic equation.

The net ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and silver acetate is

  ${\text{Ag}}^{+}{\text{(aq)+Cl}}^{-1}\text{(aq)}\to \text{AgCl(s)}$