What are the Molecular, Ionic, and Net Ionic Equations

. FeCl3(aq) + CoCl2(aq) 2. CoCl2(aq) + AgNO3(aq) What are the Molecular, Ionic, and Net Ionic Equations?

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Let’s break down each reaction one by one and write the molecular, ionic, and net ionic equations.

1. Reaction: FeCl3(aq) + CoCl2(aq) → CoCl3(aq) + FeCl2(aq)

Molecular Equation:

The molecular equation shows all compounds as intact molecules:FeCl3(aq)+CoCl2(aq)→CoCl3(aq)+FeCl2(aq)FeCl_3(aq) + CoCl_2(aq) \rightarrow CoCl_3(aq) + FeCl_2(aq)FeCl3​(aq)+CoCl2​(aq)→CoCl3​(aq)+FeCl2​(aq)

Ionic Equation:

Ionic equations show all strong electrolytes as dissociated ions in aqueous solutions:Fe3+(aq)+3Cl−(aq)+Co2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)→Co3+(aq)+3Cl−(aq)+Fe2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)Fe^{3+}(aq) + 3Cl^-(aq) + Co^{2+}(aq) + 2Cl^-(aq) \rightarrow Co^{3+}(aq) + 3Cl^-(aq) + Fe^{2+}(aq) + 2Cl^-(aq)Fe3+(aq)+3Cl−(aq)+Co2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)→Co3+(aq)+3Cl−(aq)+Fe2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)

Net Ionic Equation:

The net ionic equation removes the spectator ions (those that appear on both sides of the equation):Fe3+(aq)+Co2+(aq)→Co3+(aq)+Fe2+(aq)Fe^{3+}(aq) + Co^{2+}(aq) \rightarrow Co^{3+}(aq) + Fe^{2+}(aq)Fe3+(aq)+Co2+(aq)→Co3+(aq)+Fe2+(aq)

Explanation:
In this reaction, iron (III) chloride reacts with cobalt (II) chloride. Both are soluble salts and dissociate in aqueous solutions into their respective ions. The cobalt ion (Co²⁺) and the iron ion (Fe³⁺) undergo a redox reaction. Cobalt changes from a +2 to a +3 oxidation state, while iron reduces from a +3 to a +2 state.

2. Reaction: CoCl2(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → Co(NO3)2(aq) + AgCl(s)

Molecular Equation:

The molecular equation shows all compounds as intact molecules:CoCl2(aq)+2AgNO3(aq)→Co(NO3)2(aq)+2AgCl(s)CoCl_2(aq) + 2AgNO_3(aq) \rightarrow Co(NO_3)_2(aq) + 2AgCl(s)CoCl2​(aq)+2AgNO3​(aq)→Co(NO3​)2​(aq)+2AgCl(s)

Ionic Equation:

Ionic equations show all strong electrolytes as dissociated ions in aqueous solutions:Co2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)+2Ag+(aq)+2NO3−(aq)→Co2+(aq)+2NO3−(aq)+2AgCl(s)Co^{2+}(aq) + 2Cl^-(aq) + 2Ag^+(aq) + 2NO_3^-(aq) \rightarrow Co^{2+}(aq) + 2NO_3^-(aq) + 2AgCl(s)Co2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)+2Ag+(aq)+2NO3−​(aq)→Co2+(aq)+2NO3−​(aq)+2AgCl(s)

Net Ionic Equation:

The net ionic equation removes the spectator ions:2Ag+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)→2AgCl(s)2Ag^+(aq) + 2Cl^-(aq) \rightarrow 2AgCl(s)2Ag+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)→2AgCl(s)

Explanation:
In this case, cobalt chloride reacts with silver nitrate. Both salts dissociate in water to form their respective ions. Silver ions (Ag⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) combine to form the insoluble precipitate silver chloride (AgCl). The cobalt (Co²⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions are spectator ions that do not participate in the reaction, which is why they are excluded from the net ionic equation.

Summary:

  • Molecular equations show all compounds as undissociated molecules.
  • Ionic equations break down strong electrolytes into their respective ions.
  • Net ionic equations exclude spectator ions, showing only the species that undergo a change during the reaction.

These steps ensure a clearer understanding of the chemical changes that occur in each reaction.

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