Aqueous ionic reactions

Representing Aqueous Ionic Reactions with Net Ionic Equations... 

To describe an aqueous ionic reaction, chemists use a net ionic equa-... 

Chemists use three types of equations to represent aqueous ionic reactions molecular, total ionic, and net ionic equations. As you ll see in the two types of ionic equations, by balancing the atoms, we also balance the charges. 

Figure 4.4 An aqueous ionic reaction and its equations. When silver nitrate and sodium chromate solutions are mixed, a reaction occurs that forms solid silver chromate and a solution of sodium nitrate. The photos present the macroscopic view of the reaction, the view the chemist sees in the lab. The blow-up arrows lead to an atomic-scale view, a representation of the chemist s mental picture of the reactants and products. (The pale ions are spectator ions, present for electrical neutrality, but not involved in the reaction.) Three equations represent the reaction in symbols. (The ions that are reacting are shown in red type.) The molecular equation shows all substances intact. The total Ionic equation shows all soluble substances as separate, solvated ions. The net Ionic equation eliminates the spectator ions to show only the reacting species.

A molecular equation for an aqueous ionic reaction shows undissociated substances. A total Ionic equation shows all soluble Ionic compounds as separate, solvated ions. Spectator ions appear unchanged on both sides of the equation. By eliminating them, you see the actual chemical change in a net ionic equation. 

Although this is not quite as fast as an aqueous ionic reaction, the insolubility of silver chloride is a strong driving force, and yields tend to be good. However, although the reaction itself is rapid, essentially quantitative and fairly free of side reactions, making the silver salt can be involved and time consuming—and expensive [72]. 

To describe an aqueous ionic reaction, chemists use a net ionic equation because it eliminates spectator ions (those not involved in the reaction) and shows the actual chemical change taking place. 

Chemists use three types of equations to represent aqueous ionic reactions. Let s examine a reaction to see what each type shows. When solutions of silver nitrate and sodium chromate are mixed, brick-red, solid silver chromate (Ag2Cr04) forms. Figure 4.4 depicts the reaction at the macroscopic level (photos), the atomic level (blow-up circles), and the symbolic level with the three types of equations (reacting ions are in red type) ... 

Figure 4.4 An aqueous ionic reaction and the three types of equations.

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