Chapter 9.3, Problem 53SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The complete ionic and net ionic equations for the reaction between sulfuric acid and calcium carbonate needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Net ionic equations are ionic equations that comprise only the particles that participate in the reaction. Net ionic equations are written from complete ionic equations by removing all spectator ions. Ions which are not participating in the chemical reaction are called spectator ions and are not usually shown in net ionic equations.

Answer to Problem 53SSC

The complete ionic equation is

${\text{2H}}^{+}\left(\text{aq}\right){\text{+CaCO}}_3\left(\text{s}\right)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right){\text{+CO}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right){\text{+Ca}}^{2+}\left(\text{aq}\right)$

Net ionic equation is ${\text{2H}}^{+}\left(\text{aq}\right){\text{+CaCO}}_3\left(\text{s}\right)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right){\text{+CO}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right){\text{+Ca}}^{2+}\left(\text{aq}\right)$

Explanation of Solution

The reaction is as follows:

${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}\left(\text{aq}\right){\text{+CaCO}}_3\left(\text{s}\right)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right){\text{+CO}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right){\text{+CaCO}}_{\text{3}}\left(\text{aq}\right)$

The ionic equation is written such that all the species in aqueous solution are written in the form of dissociated ions.

The ionic equation is as follows:

${\text{2H}}^{+}\left(\text{aq}\right){\text{+CaCO}}_3\left(\text{s}\right)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right){\text{+CO}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right){\text{+Ca}}^{2+}\left(\text{aq}\right)$

Spectators ions are not included in net ionic equation thus; the Net ionic equation is as follows:

${\text{2H}}^{+}\left(\text{aq}\right){\text{+CaCO}}_3\left(\text{s}\right)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right){\text{+CO}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right){\text{+Ca}}^{2+}\left(\text{aq}\right)$

Conclusion

A complete ionic equation shows all the species in a solution. While net ionic equations shows only those particles which take part in the reaction or not present in both sides of the reaction arrow.