Problem 82 - Chemistry: An Atoms-Focused Approach

Question

Aluminum carbonate is used in some antacids. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction of aluminum carbonate with hydrochloric acid.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Answer: The balanced net ionic equation for the reaction between aluminum carbonate and hydrochloric acid is: 6CO₃²⁻(aq) + 6H⁺(aq) → 3H₂O(l) + 3CO₂(g)

Step 1: Write the chemical formulas for the reactants

The chemical formula for aluminum carbonate is Al₂(CO₃)₃, and the chemical formula for hydrochloric acid is HCl.

Step 2: Predict the products of the reaction

This reaction is an acid-base reaction, and the products will be a salt and water. The cation in the salt comes from the aluminum carbonate (Al³⁺) and the anion from the hydrochloric acid (Cl⁻). The salt formed is aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), and the other product is water (H₂O).

Step 3: Write the balanced molecular equation

The balanced molecular equation for this reaction is: Al₂(CO₃)₃(aq) + 6 HCl(aq) → 2 AlCl₃(aq) + 3 H₂O(l) + 3 CO₂(g)

Step 4: Write the total ionic equation

To write the total ionic equation, we break down the strong electrolytes (the aqueous salts and strong acids) into their constituent ions: 2Al³⁺(aq) + 6CO₃²⁻(aq) + 6H⁺(aq) + 6Cl⁻(aq) → 2Al³⁺(aq) + 6Cl⁻(aq) + 3H₂O(l) + 3CO₂(g)

Step 5: Identify the spectator ions

Spectator ions are those ions present on both sides of the ionic equation that do not participate in the reaction. In this case, we have: Spectator ions: 2Al³⁺(aq), 6Cl⁻(aq)

Step 6: Write the balanced net ionic equation

To write the balanced net ionic equation, we remove the spectator ions from the total ionic equation: 6CO₃²⁻(aq) + 6H⁺(aq) → 3H₂O(l) + 3CO₂(g) This balanced net ionic equation shows the reaction between the carbonate ions and the hydrogen ions, resulting in the formation of water and carbon dioxide.