CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Chemical Reactions · Chemical Reactions
Problem
When an aqueous base reacts with an aqueous acid, liquid water is produced. Consider the net ionic equation
OH−(aq)+H+(aq)→H2O(l).
Answer the following questions about reactions that reduce to this net ionic equation.
(a) Write a balanced molecular equation for a reaction between two strong electrolytes dissolved in water that produces the net ionic equation above.
(b) Write a balanced molecular equation for a reaction between a weak acid and a strong base that also produces the same net ionic equation. The weak acid must remain in its molecular form in the complete ionic equation.
(c) For each molecular equation written in parts (a) and (b), write the corresponding complete ionic equation and circle the species that behave as spectators.
(d) Explain, with reference to electrolyte strength and dissociation, why the complete ionic equations in parts (a) and (b) simplify to an identical net ionic equation even though different reactants are used.