Chapter 3.6, Problem 3.6CYU

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The balanced and net ionic equation for the reaction of magnesium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid should be written.

Concept introduction:

The law of conservation of mass states that no atoms can be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, therefore, the number of atoms present in the reactants is equal to the number of atoms present in the products.

Ionic equation is an equation in which ions are explicitly shown.

Spectator ions are the ion that appears unchanged on both sides of a reaction arrow.

Net ionic equation is the chemical equation for a reaction which lists only those species participating in the reaction.

To write the net ionic equation, steps mentioned below must be followed.

1. 1. Write the balanced molecular equation
2. 2. Write the ionic equation showing the strong electrolytes completely dissociated into cations and anions.
3. 3. Cancel the spectator ions on both sides of the ionic equation.
4. 4. Check that charges and number of atoms are balanced in the net ionic equation.