Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the balanced molecular equation for the reaction between nitric acid (HNO3) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)?
3. Chemical Reactions
Balancing Chemical Equations
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What is the net ionic equation for the reaction Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2?
A
Zn(s) + 2Cl-(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
B
Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
C
Zn2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → ZnCl2(aq)
D
Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical equation: Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g).
Write the complete ionic equation by breaking down all aqueous compounds into their ions: Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H2(g).
Identify and remove the spectator ions, which are ions that appear unchanged on both sides of the equation. In this case, Cl- ions are spectators.
Write the net ionic equation by including only the species that undergo a change: Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2(g).
Verify that the net ionic equation is balanced in terms of both mass and charge. Ensure that the number of atoms and the total charge are the same on both sides of the equation.
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