Unit 3 Chemical Reactions 1
WHAT IS A CHEMICAL REACTION?
A chemical reaction is material changing from a beginning mass to a resulting substance. The
hallmark of a chemical reaction is that new material or materials are made, along with the
disappearance of the mass that changed to make the new. This does not mean that new elements
have been made. In order to make new elements, the nuclear contents must change. There are
magnitudes of difference in the amounts of energy in ordinary chemical reactions compared to
nuclear reactions, the rearrangement of the nuclei of atoms to change to new elements is
enormous compared to the smaller energies of chemical changes. The alchemists, in their efforts
to change less expensive metals to gold, did not have the fundamental understanding of what
they were attempting to do to appreciate the difference.
A chemical equation is a way to describe what goes on in a chemical reaction, the actual change
in a material. Chemical equations are written with the symbols of materials to include elements,
ionic or covalent compounds, aqueous solutions, ions, or particles. There is an arrow pointing to
the right that indicates the action of the reaction. The materials to the left of the arrow are the
reactants, or materials that are going to react. The materials to the right of the arrow are the
products, or materials that have been produced by the reaction. The Law of Conservation of
Mass states that in a chemical reaction no mass is lost or gained. The Law of Conservation of
Mass applies to individual types of atom. One could say that for any element, there is no loss or
gain of that element in a chemical reaction. There are such things as reversible reactions,
reactions in which the products reassemble to become the original products. Reversible reactions
are symbolized in chemical equations by a double-headed arrow, but the standard remains to call
the materials on the left the reactants and the materials on the right the products.
Law of Conservation of Mass
-states that mass is neither created nor
chemical reaction -it is conserved
destroyed during a
Massreactants=Massproducts
Reaction Energy
All chemical reactions are accompanied by a change in energy. Some reactions release
energy to their surroundings (usually in the form of heat) and are called exothermic. For
example, sodium and chlorine react so violently that flames can be seen as the exothermic
reaction gives off heat. On the other hand, some reactions need to absorb heat from their
surroundings to proceed. These reactions are called endothermic. A good example of an
endothermic reaction is that which takes place inside of an instant 'cold pack'. Commercial
cold packs usually consist of 2 compounds - urea and ammonium chloride in separate
containers within a plastic bag. When the bag is bent and the inside containers are broken, the
two compounds mix together and begin to react. Because the reaction is endothermic, it
absorbs heat from the surrounding environment and the bag gets cold.
Reactions that proceed immediately when two substances are mixed together (such as the
reaction of sodium with chlorine or urea with ammonium chloride) are called spontaneous
reactions. Not all reactions proceed spontaneously. For example, think of a match. When
you strike a match you are causing a reaction between the chemicals in the match head and
oxygen in the air. The match won't light spontaneously, though. You first need to input
energy, which is called the activation energy of the reaction. In the case of the match, you
supply activation energy in the form of heat by striking the match on the match book; after the
activation energy is absorbed and the reaction begins, the reaction continues until you either
extinguish the flame or you run out of material to react.
EXAMPLES OF CHEMICAL CHANGES
Chemical reactions, also called chemical changes, are not limited to happening in a chemistry
lab. Here are some examples of chemical reactions with the corresponding chemical equations:
A silver spoon tarnishes. The silver reacts with sulfur in the air to make silver sulfide, the black
material we call tarnish. 2 Ag + S
Ag2S
An iron bar rusts. The iron reacts with oxygen in the air to make rust. 4 Fe + 3 O2
2 Fe2O3
Methane burns. Methane combines with oxygen in the air to make carbon dioxide and water
vapor. CH4 + 2 O2
CO2 + 2 H2O
An antacid (calcium hydroxide) neutralizes stomach acid (hydrochloric acid).
Ca(OH)2 + 2 HCl
CaCl2 + 2 H2O
Glucose (simple sugar) ferments to ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. The sugar in grapes or
from grain ferments with yeast to make the alcohol and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is
the gas that bubbles out of beer or champaign.
C6H12O6 (glucose)
2 C2H5OH (ethyl alcohol) + 2 CO2
Alcohol plus oxygen becomes vinegar and a molecule of water. As in the fermentation of
glucose, this is a more complex reaction than it appears here because it is a biochemical reaction.
C2H5OH + O2
HC2H3O2 + H2O
As a general rule, biochemical happenings make poor examples of basic chemical reactions
because the actual reaction is carried on within living things and under enzyme control.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL CHANGES
Here are some examples of changes that are NOT chemical reactions. In each case, the original
material or materials may be reclaimed by physical processes.
Water boils out of a kettle or condenses on a cold glass. An aluminum pot is put on a burner and
gets hot. Dry ice goes from a solid to a gaseous form of carbon dioxide (sublimation). Gold
melts or solidifies. Sand is mixed in with salt. A piece of chalk is ground to dust. Glass breaks.
An iron rod gets magnetized. A lump of sugar dissolves in water.
In summary, for a chemical change to occur we look for;




A rearrangement of atoms/and or molecules to produce one or more new substances with
new properties.
A change in which one or more substances are changed into one or more substances.
Burning, digestion, and fermenting are all examples of chemical change.
The following are a rule of thumb for deciding if a chemical reaction has taken place:
1. Change in Colour
If you mix two solutions and the resulting solution has a new colour, a chemical
change has occurred.
2. Formation of a Gas
If you combine two substances and there is bubbling, a gas is being released, and a
chemical change has occurred.
3. Formation of a Solid (Precipitate)
If you combine two solutions and a solid forms (precipitate), a chemical change has
occurred.
4. Release or Absorption of Heat (Energy)
A chemical change in which heat is released is called exothermic.
A chemical change in which heat is absorbed is called endothermic.
Assignment1: Chemical vs. Physical
Classify each of the changes as chemical or physical and explain why:
1. fading of dye in cloth
6. digestion of food
2. growth of a plant
7. formation of clouds in the air
3. melting of ice
8. healing of a wound
4. making of rock candy by evaporating water from a sugar solution
5. production of light by an electric lamp
Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations
Balancing a chemical equation is much like the work of an accountant
who has to show where every penny has come from
and where it has gone to.
Law of Conservation of Mass
The Law of Conservation of Mass states that mass is
neither created nor destroyed in any chemical reaction.
Therefore balancing of equations requires the same number of atoms on both sides
of a chemical reaction. The mass of all the reactants (the substances going into a
reaction) must equal the mass of the products (the substances produced by the
reaction).
A simple equation, such as the synthesis of iron(II) sulfide,
iron + sulfur  iron(II) sulfide
needs no special balancing.
Fe + S  FeS
Note that in a chemical equation, by convention, we use the arrow "" instead of
the equals "=".
The last stage is to put in state symbols, (s, l, g, aq), as appropriate (solid, liquid,
gas, aqueous or dissolved in water)
Fe(s) + S(s)  FeS(s)
On a microscopic scale, one atom of iron combines with one atom of sulfur to
produce one "unit" of the compound iron(II) sulfide.
On a molar basis, one mole of iron (56g) reacts with one mole of sulfur (32g) to
produce one mole of the compound iron(II) sulfide (88g).
Very often you will see the descriptions of the materials in the reaction in parentheses after the material.
A gas is shown by (g). A solid material is shown by (s). A liquid is shown by (l). A material dissolved in
water (an aqueous solution) is shown by (aq).
Balancing Chemical Equations
The Law of Conservation of mass.
This means the atoms that exist today are essentially the same ones that
existed thousands and millions of years ago. The atoms in use today have
been recycled time after time. Everyone has been recycling with chemists
since the beginning of time. Pretty cool, huh?
Balancing equations.
The letter symbols that represent atoms and molecules in equations are treated like
objects. Balancing chemical equations literally means counting the number of times atom
symbols appear in the reactants and products to make sure the counts are the same on
both sides. Conservation of mass is linked to "conservation” of element symbols.
The law of conservation of mass is met when the count of element symbols on reactants
side is equal to the count of element symbols on the product side. This rests on the
additional assumption that the symbols also represent the masses of the elements.
A balanced equation has equal counts (number) of atoms of each element in both
reactants and products.
Equations are balanced by adjusting the multipliers (coefficients) in front of formula
symbols so the counts of atoms are the same in reactants and products. The subscripts
are not changed.
Subscripts in chemical formulas are NEVER changed in the balancing process.
Changing the subscripts changes the identity of compounds and the sense of the
equation.
Word and formula equations
1. Two types of equations are written by chemists:


word equations: describe the substances that react in a chemical reaction (termed
reactants ), and the products that are formed, along with their states
formula equations are a shorthand method used to describe the same reactions.
These are of two types:
o Skeleton equations: (unbalanced) which lists the correct formula of each
reacting substance and product substances, and their states.
o Balanced equations: which list the correct formulas , states and balances
the equation for the number of atoms present. That is it takes into account
the Law of Conservation of Mass, and makes sure there is the same
number and type of atom in the reactant and product. In Chemistry 30 we
should only use balanced equations.
2. We balance equations by changing the coefficients or numbers in front of the substance.
WE NEVER CHANGE THE FORMULAS OF SUBSTANCES IN ORDER TO
BALANCE.
3. Counting the atoms correctly is therefore critical. The balance (coefficient) we use is always
multiplied by the subscripts used in each formula, to indicate how many atoms are represented. If
atoms are in two different reactant or product compounds , they are added together to determine
how many are present in total.
Reactants
2 SO2 + O2
4 CO2 + 6 H2O
number of each atom
2 Sulfur
4 + 2 = 6 Oxygen
4 Carbon
8 + 6 = 14 Oxygen
12 Hydrogen
Assignment #2: Counting Atoms
Determine the # of atoms of each type present in the following reactants.
Reactants
# of each atom
Pb =
PbS + 2 PbO
S=
O=
Ca =
N=
Ca(NO3)2 + 2 KOH
O=
K=
H=
N=
2 NH4NO3 + H2S
H=
O=
S=
Fe =
N=
Fe(NO3)3 + 3 LiOH
O=
Li =
H=
Ca =
P=
Ca3(PO4)2 + 3 H2SO4
O=
H=
S=
TYPES OF COMMON IONIC REACTION
SYNTHESIS REACTIONS
The hallmark of a synthesis reaction is a single product. A synthesis reaction might be
symbolized by:
A+B
AB
Two materials, elements or compounds, come together to make a single product. Some examples
of synthesis reactions are: Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas burn to produce water.
2 H2 + O2
2 H2O and
sulfur trioxide reacts with water to make sulfuric acid.
H2O + SO3
H2SO4
What would you see in a ‘test tube’ if you were witness to a synthesis reaction? You would see
two different materials combine. A single new material appears.
DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS
(ALSO CALLED DESYNTHESIS, DECOMBINATION, OR DECONSTRUCTION)
Mozart composed until age 35. After that, he decomposed. Yes, a decomposition is a coming
apart. A single reactant comes apart into two or more products, symbolized by:
XZ
X+Z
Some examples of decomposition reactions are: potassium chlorate when heated comes apart
into oxygen gas and potassium chloride
2 KClO3
2 KCl + 3 O2
and heating sodium bicarbonate releases water and carbon dioxide and sodium carbonate.
6 NaHCO3
3 Na2CO3 + 3 H2O + 3 CO2
In a “test tube” you would see a single material coming apart into more than one new material.
SINGLE REPLACEMENT REACTIONS
(ALSO CALLED SINGLE DISPLACEMENT, SINGLE SUBSTITUTION, OR ACTIVITY REPLACEMENT)
Here is an example of a single replacement reaction: silver nitrate solution has a piece of copper
placed into it. The solution begins to turn blue and the copper seems to disappear. Instead, a
silvery-white material appears.
2 AgNO3 + Cu
Cu(NO3)2 + 2 Ag
A solution of an ionic compound has available an element. The element replaces one of the ions
in the solution and a new element appears from the ion in solution. This type of reaction is called
a replacement because a free element replaces one of the ions in a compound. There are two
types of single replacement reactions, anionic and cationic. A cationic single replacement is what
happened in the case of the silver being replaced by the copper in the above reaction because
both the silver and the copper are only likely to make cations. An anionic single replacement is
also possible. Into a potassium iodide solution chlorine gas is bubbled. The chlorine is used up
and the solution turns purple-brown from the iodine. This is an example of an anionic single
replacement reaction.
2 KI + Cl2
2 KCl + I2
Could you start with copper II nitrate and silver metal and get silver nitrate and copper metal, or
could you start with potassium chloride and iodine and get potassium iodide and chlorine? No.
The reactions don’t work that way. You can arrange cations or anions in a list of which ion will
replace the next. This type of list is an activity series. The activity series of cation elements
(metals) shows that gold is the least active metal. That should not be surprising, because gold
does not tarnish. If we were to consider the Group 1 elements only on the activity list, lithium is
the least active and francium is the most active, with each larger element being more active than
the smaller one above it on the Periodic Chart. On the other side of the chart we could consider
an activity series for anions. Taking just the halogens, the smallest halogen, fluorine is the most
active. As the size of the halogen increases down the chart, the activity decreases. If an element
is more active than the element of the same sign in an ionic solution, the more active element
will replace it.
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT REACTIONS
(ALSO CALLED DOUBLE DISPLACEMENT OR METATHESIS)
Some texts refer to single and double replacement reactions as solution reactions or ion reactions. That
is understandable, considering these are mostly done in solutions in which the major materials we would
be considering are in ion form. Let’s take an example.
AgNO3 + KCl
AgCl(s) + KNO3
Above is the way the reaction might be published in a book, but the equation does not tell the
whole story. Dissolved silver nitrate becomes a solution of silver ions and nitrate ions. Potassium
chloride ionizes the same way. When the two solutions are added together, the silver ions and
chloride ions find each other and become a solid precipitate. (They ‘rain’ or drop out of the
solution, this time as a solid.) Since silver chloride is insoluble in water, the ions take each other
out of the solution.
Ag+ + (NO3)- + K+ +Cl-
AgCl + K+ + (NO3)-
Here is another way to take the ions out of solution. Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide
(acid and base) neutralize each other to make water and a salt. Again the solution of hydrochloric
acid is a solution of hydrogen (hydronium ions in the acid and base section) and chloride ions.
The other solution to add to it, sodium hydroxide, has sodium ions and hydroxide ions. The
hydrogen and hydroxide ions take each other out of the solution by making a covalent compound
(water).
HCl + NaOH
HOH + NaCl or
H+ + Cl- + Na+ + (OH)-
HOH + Na+ + Cl-
One more way for the ions to be taken out of the water is for some of the ions to escape as a gas.
CaCO3 + 2 HCl
CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
Ca2+ + (CO3)2- + 2 H+ + 2 Cl-
Ca2+ + 2 Cl- + H2O + CO2
The carbonate and hydrogen ions became water and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is lost as
a gas to the ionic solution, so the equation can not go back.
One way to consider double replacement reactions is as follows: Two solutions of ionic
compounds are really just sets of dissolved ions, each solution with a positive and a negative ion
material. The two are added together, forming a mixture of four ions. If two of the ions can form
(1) an insoluble material, (2) a covalent material such as water, or (2) a gas that can escape, it
qualifies as a reaction. Not all of the ions are really involved in the reaction. Those ions that
remain in solution after the reaction has completed are called spectator ions, that is, they are not
involved in the reaction. There is some question as to whether they can see the action of the other
ions, but that is what they are called.
WRITE THE FORMULA FOR EACH MATERIAL CORRECTLY AND THEN BALANCE THE EQUATION.
THERE ARE SOME REACTIONS THAT REQUIRE COMPLETION. FOR EACH REACTION TELL WHAT
TYPE OF REACTION IT IS.
1. sulfur trioxide and water combine to make sulfuric acid.
2. lead II nitrate and sodium iodide react to make lead iodide and sodium nitrate.
3. calcium fluoride and sulfuric acid make calcium sulfate and hydrogen fluoride (Hydrofluoric acid)
4. calcium carbonate will come apart when you heat it to leave calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
5. ammonia gas when it is pressed into water will make ammonium hydroxide.
6. sodium hydroxide neutralizes carbonic acid
7. zinc sulfide and oxygen become zinc oxide and sulfur.
8. lithium oxide and water make lithium hydroxide
9. aluminum hydroxide and sulfuric acid neutralize to make water and aluminum sulfate.
10. sulfur burns in oxygen to make sulfur dioxide.
11. barium hydroxide and sulfuric acid make water and barium sulfate.
12. aluminum sulfate and calcium hydroxide become aluminum hydroxide and calcium sulfate.
13. copper metal and silver nitrate react to form silver metal and copper II nitrate.
14. sodium metal and chlorine react to make sodium chloride.
15. calcium phosphate and sulfuric acid make calcium sulfate and phosphoric acid.
16. phosphoric acid plus sodium hydroxide.
17. propane burns (with oxygen)
18. zinc and copper II sulfate yield zinc sulfate and copper metal
19. sulfuric acid reacts with zinc
20. acetic acid ionizes.
21. steam methane to get hydrogen and carbon dioxide
22. calcium oxide and aluminum make aluminum oxide and calcium
23. chlorine gas and sodium bromide yield sodium chloride and bromine
ANSWERS TO EQUATIONS
1. SO3 + H2O
SYNTHESIS
H2SO4
2. Pb(NO3)2 + 2NaI
PbI2 + 2NaNO3
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT (lead II iodide precipitates)
3. CaF2 + H2SO4
CaSO4 + 2 HF
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT (calcium sulfate precipitates)
4. CaCO3
CaO + CO2
DECOMPOSITION
5. NH3 + H2O
SYNTHESIS
NH4OH
6. 2 NaOH + H2CO3
Na2CO3 + 2 H2O
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT OR ACID-BASE NEUTRALIZATION
7. 2 ZnS + O2
2 ZnO + 2 S
ANIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
8. Li2O + H2O
SYNTHESIS
2 LiOH
9. 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 H2SO4
6 H2O + Al2(SO4)3
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT OR ACID-BASE NEUTRALIZATION
10. S + O2
SO2
SYNTHESIS
11. Ba(OH)2 + H2SO4
2 H2O + BaSO4
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT OR ACID-BASE NEUTRALIZATION
12. Al2(SO4)3 + 3 Ca(OH)2
2 Al(OH)3 + 3 CaSO4
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT
(BOTH calcium sulfate and aluminum hydroxide are precipitates.)
13. Cu + 2AgNO3
2Ag + Cu(NO3)2
CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
14. 2Na + Cl2
SYNTHESIS
2 NaCl
15. Ca3(PO4)2 + 3 H2SO4
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT
3 CaSO4 + 2 H3PO4
16. H3(PO4) + 3 NaOH
Na3PO4 + 3 H2O
DOUBLE REPLACEMENT (NEUTRALIZATION)
17. C3H8 + 5 O2
4 H2O + 3 CO2
BURNING OF A HYDROCARBON
18. Zn + CuSO4
ZnSO4 + Cu
CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
19. H2SO4 + Zn
ZnSO4 + H2
CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
20. HC2H3O2
H+ + (C2H3O2)IONIZATION (NOTICE THAT IT IS REVERSIBLE)
21. 2 H2O + CH4
4 H2 + CO2
22. 3 CaO + 2 Al
Al2O3 + 3 Ca
CATIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
23. Cl2 + 2 NaBr
2 NaCl + Br2
ANIONIC SINGLE REPLACEMENT
Balancing by Inspection
Balancing equations is basically a process of trial and error, called inspection, but a few hints can
help.
1. Balance atoms that appear only once in reactant and product first, and atoms that
appear more than once last.
Example #1:
Step 1
Reactant
Product
___C3H8 (g)+ ___O2 (g)
___CO2 (g) + ___H2O (g)
Balance atoms that appear only once first (C and H
)
_1_C3H8 (g)+ ___O2 (g)
_3_CO2 (g) + _4_H2O (g)
Step 2 Balance atoms that appear more than once last (O)
_1_C3H8 (g)+ _5_O2 (g)
_3_CO2 (g) + _4_H2O (g)
2. Balance polyatomic ions as a group , for example SO4 2- ion. Caution: The ion must
remain the same in reactant and product.
Example #2:
Step
1
Reactant
Product
___Ca(NO3)2 (aq) + ___Na3PO4 (aq)
___Ca3(PO4)2 (s) + ___NaNO3 (aq)
Balance atoms that appear only once ( Ca , Na )
_3__Ca(NO3)2 (aq) + ___Na3PO4 (aq)
Step
2
___Ca3(PO4)2 (s) + _3__NaNO3 (aq)
Balance atoms in ions as groups (PO4 ; NO3 )
_3__Ca(NO3)2 (aq) + _2__Na3PO4 (aq)
_1__Ca3(PO4)2 (s) + _6__NaNO3 (aq)
3. In some cases the # of atoms of an element in the reactants may be odd, while the # in the
products will always be even (due to a even subscript). In this case you need to double the
balance of all atoms already balanced and continue the balancing.
Example #3:
Reactant
Product
___CuFeS2 (s) + ___O2 (g)
___Cu (s) + ___FeO (s) + ___SO2 (g)
Step 1 Balance atoms that appear only once first
_1_CuFeS2 (s) + ___O2 (g)
_1_Cu (s) + _1_FeO (s) + _2_SO2 (g)
Step 2 Balance oxygen now. Notice that there is
five atoms in the products but the reactants
will always be even. To balance, double all
balances already made. Now continue by
balancing the oxygen
_2_CuFeS2 (s) + _5_O2 (g)
_2_Cu (s) + _2_FeO (s) + _4_SO2 (g)
Please complete the Questions for Balancing Equations practice sheet. Be sure to
check your answers and come for help if they are not working!
Assignment #3: Balancing using inspection
Balance the following chemical equations by inspection ;
1___K2O + ___H2O -------> ____KOH
2. ___KOH +___ H3PO4 -------> ___K3PO4 + ___H2O
3.___CaCl2 + ___HNO3 -------> ___Ca(NO3)2 + ___HCl
4.___FeCl3 + ___KOH -------> ___KCl + ___Fe(OH)3
5 ___.NaClO + ___H2S -------> ___NaCl + ___H2SO4
6. ___Ag2S + ___HNO3 -------> ___AgNO3 + ___NO + ___S + ___H2O
7. ___I2 + ____Na2S2O3 -------> ___ Na2S4O6 + ___NaI
8. ___Fe + ___CuNO3 -------> ___Fe(NO3)2 + ___Cu
9. ___MgCl2 + ___NH4NO3 -------> ___Mg(NO3)2 + ___NH4Cl
10. ___Al + ___H2SO4 -------> ___Al2(SO4)3 + ___H2
NET IONIC EQUATIONS
Net ionic equations are useful in that they show only those chemical species participating
in a chemical reaction. The key to being able to write net ionic equations is the ability to
recognize monoatomic and polyatomic ions, and the solubility rules. If you are weak in
these areas, a review of these concepts would be helpful before attempting to write net
ionic equations.
Let's first start with a complete chemical equation and see how the net ionic equation is
derived. Take for example the reaction of lead(II) nitrate with hydrochloric acid to form
lead(II) chloride and nitric acid, shown below:
Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2 HCl (aq)
PbCl2 (s) + 2 HNO3 (aq)
This complete equation may be rewritten in ionic form by using the solubility rules, and
by recognizing strong acids. All nitrates are soluble, therefore the lead(II) nitrate will be
dissociated. Both hydrochloric acid and nitric acid are strong acids and will therefore be
dissociated. The lead(II) chloride, however is insoluble--all halides are soluble except
silver, lead, copper(I) and mercury(I). The above equation written in dissociated form is:
Pb2+(aq) + 2 NO3-(aq) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 Cl-(aq)
PbCl2 (s) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 NO3-(aq)
At this point, one may cancel out those ions which have not participated in the reaction. Notice
how the nitrate ions and hydrogen ions remain unchanged on both sides of the reaction.
Pb2+(aq) + 2 NO3-(aq) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 Cl-(aq)
PbCl2 (s) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 NO3-(aq)
What remains is the net ionic equation, showing only those chemical species participating in a
chemical process:
Pb2+(aq) + 2 Cl-(aq)
PbCl2 (s)
What would be the net ionic equation for:
BaBr2 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq)
BaSO4 (s) + 2 NaBr (aq)
As before, the above equation can be rewritten showing the soluble species as ions in
solution:
Ba2+(aq) + 2 Br-(aq) + 2 Na+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
BaSO4 (s) + 2 Na+(aq) + 2 Br-(aq)
Next, cross out any species which have not changed on both sides of the reactions--these
are the spectator ions:
Ba2+(aq) + 2 Br-(aq) + 2 Na+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
BaSO4 (s) + 2 Na+(aq) + 2 Br-(aq)
What remains is the balanced, net ionic equation:
Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
BaSO4 (s)
Notes on Total and Net Ionic Equations
In describing reactions that occur in solution, it is often desirable to write the
equation for the reaction in ionic form, indicating the ionic species that actually
exist in solution.
For example, if we were describing the reaction of a solution of BaCl 2 with a solution of
Na2SO4 to form the insoluble solid BaSO4 we would write
2Na1+(aq) + SO42-(aq) + Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) -----> 2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) +
BaSO4(s)
In writing a total ionic equation for reactions in water:
1.
2.
3.
4.
We indicate all soluble ionic materials as ions, followed by (aq).
All substances that react with water to form ions are written as ions followed by (aq).
All insoluble ionic solids are written with (s) following their formula.
All soluble unionized species are written with their molecular formula followed by
(aq).
5. In the above equation, we note that the sodium and chloride ions are unchanged and
are present on both sides of the equation. Since they are not undergoing chemical
reaction, they can be referred to as spectator ions. If we subtract the spectator
ions from each side of the equation, we then have a net ionic equation. The net
ionic equation for the above reaction is:
Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) -----> BaSO4(s)
The net ionic equation is a statement of the chemistry that occurred, namely, aqueous
barium 2+ ion reacted with aqueous sulfate ion to form solid barium sulfate.
Net ionic equations may also be written for replacement reactions.
Writing Net Ionic Equations
In many ionic reactions not all the chemical species undergo a change. Those that do not change
are called spectator ions. When chemists remove the spectator ions from a chemical reaction they
produce what is termed a net ionic reaction. Net ionic equations indicate only the substance that
undergo a change and are very important in our study of chemistry.
In order to write net ionic reactions we need to do the following steps:
1. balance the equation for atoms.
2. write out the dissolved chemical species as they exist in solution. Precipitates,
liquids and gases are not written as ions. This is called a total ionic equation.
3. remove common aqueous ions, ( ions that are in both the reactant and product) .
The resulting equation is called the net ionic equation.
Step #2 ; Writing the dissolving of ionic solids. (Arrhenius model )
To write the dissolving of an ionic solid we:
1. place the formula for the ionic solid in the reactants.
2. place the formulas for the ions that compose the solid in the products (taken from
a table of ions)
3. balance for the charge and atoms by changing the coefficients of the products.
Examples;
1. Dissolving of Calcium Chloride
Reactants
Products
Write formulas of solid and
ions
CaCl2(s)
__Ca 2+(aq)
+
__Cl-(aq)
Balance for charge and atoms
CaCl2(s)
__Ca2+(aq)
+
2 Cl -(aq)
2. Dissolving of Barium Phosphate
Reactant
Product
2+
Formulas
Ba3(PO4)2(s)
___Ba
(aq)
+
___PO43- (aq)
Balance
Ba3(PO4)2(s)
_3_Ba 2+ (aq)
+
_2_PO43- (aq)
Notice that in each case the numbers of atoms is balanced and so to is the charge in the products.
1. There is + 2 , -2 for Calcium Chloride
2. There is +6 and -6 for the Barium Phosphate.
The ratio of the ions to the solid always remains constant . If there were 2 CaCl2 (s) then we
would have 2 Ca 2+ (aq) and 4 Cl - (aq) .
How many Ba 2+ ions would be present if we had 3 Ba3(PO4)2 (s)? Answer 9.
Writing Net Ionic Equations (all three steps )
A solution of Barium chloride combines with a solution of Sodium Carbonate to form a
precipitate of Barium Carbonate and a solution of Sodium Chloride
1. Write the formula equations and balance
___BaCl2 (aq)
+ ___Na2CO3 (aq)
___BaCO3 (s)
+ _2__NaCl (aq)
2. Write the aqueous substances as separate ions. Leave solids, liquids and gases unchanged.
_Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl - (aq) + 2Na +(aq) + CO3 2-(aq)
___BaCO3 (s)
3. Cancel common aqueous ions. (Net Ionic Equations )
Ba 2+ (aq)
+
CO32- (aq)
BaCO3(s)
Practice Problems: Write these balanced equations in net ionic form.
1.
2.
3.
4.
P4010 (aq) + 6H2O (l) 4H3PO4 (aq)
H2SO4 (aq) H2O (l) + SO3 (aq)
3Cr(NO3)2 (aq) + CuSO4 (aq) Cu (s) + 2Cr(NO3)3 (aq) + CrSO4 (aq)
MgBr2 (aq) + Cl2 (g) MgCl2 (aq) + Br2 (l)
+ 2Na +(aq)
+ 2Cl- (aq)
5.
6.
Al(NO3)3 (aq) + 3NaOH (aq)
(NH4)2S (aq) + Fe(NO3)2 (aq)
Al(OH)3 (cr) + 3NaNO3 (aq)
2NH4NO3 (aq) + FeS (cr)
7.
4CuCNS (cr) + 7KIO3 (aq) + 14HCl (aq)
4HCN (aq) + 4CuSO4 (aq) + 7ICl (cr) + 7KCl (aq) + 5H2O (l)
Assignment #4: Writing Net Ionic Equations
Balance the following reactions
Write the total and net ionic equations for the following using the procedure above.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
___Zn (s) +___ HCl (aq) ----->___ ZnCl2 (aq) + ___H2 (g)
___FeCl3 (aq) +___ AgNO3 (aq) ------>___ AgCl (s) +___ Fe(NO3)3 (aq)
___KOH (aq) + ___H3PO4(aq) ------>___ K3PO4(aq) +___ H2O (l)
___HCl (aq) + ___ Na2CO3 (aq) -----> ___ H2O(l) + ___CO2(g) + ___NaCl (aq)
___Ba(OH)2 (aq) + ___Fe2(SO4)3 (aq) -----> ___ Fe(OH)3 (s) + ___ BaSO4 (aq)
___Mg (s) + ___AgNO3 (aq) -----> ___Ag (s) + ___ Mg(NO3)2 (aq)
___NaOH (aq) + ___CO2 (g) -----> ___Na2CO3 (aq) + ___H2O (l)
Molecules or Ions? Seven rules to help you decide:
1. Binary acids:


Strong acids are written in ionic form.
Examples: HCl, HBr, HI
Weak acids are written in molecular form.
Examples: All other binary acids.
2. Ternary acids:


Strong ternary acids are written as ions: the number of oxygen atoms exceeds the number of
hydrogen atoms by two or more.
Examples: H2SO4, HNO3
Weak ternary acids are written as molecules.
Examples: H3PO4, HNO2
3. Polyprotic acids:


Those acids have more than one ionizable hydrogen.
The second and all other ionizations are always weak.
Examples: H2SO4 is written in ionic form according to Rule #2. One H is removed leaving HSO 4 -. Rule #3
assures us that this particle will not ionize farther.
4. Bases:


5. Salts:
Hydroxides of groups 1 and 2, except Be, are strong bases and are written in ionic form.
All others are weak and written in molecular form.


Salts are written in molecular form if insoluble.
Salts are written in ionic form if soluble.
Salt Solubility Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Salts of group 1 and ammonium (NH4+) are soluble.
Acetates and nitrates are soluble.
Binary compounds of group 17, except F,
are soluble with metals, except Ag, Hg +, and Pb.
All sulfates are soluble, except those of
Ba, Sr, Pb, Ca, Ag, and Hg +.
Except for those in Rule 1, carbonates, hydroxides,
oxides, sulfides, and phosphates are insoluble.
6. Oxides:

Oxides are always written in molecular form.
7. Gases:

Gases are always written in molecular form.
Please complete Assignment 5 – Balancing Equations 1
Please complete Assignment 6 – Balancing Equations 2