Ionic equation for HCl with K2CO3
The correct answer and explanation is:
The reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) produces potassium chloride (KCl), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O). The balanced molecular equation for this reaction is: 2 HCl(aq)+K2CO3(aq)→2 KCl(aq)+H2O(l)+CO2(g)2 \, \text{HCl} (aq) + \text{K}_2\text{CO}_3 (aq) \rightarrow 2 \, \text{KCl} (aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) + \text{CO}_2 (g)
To write the ionic equation, it is essential to break the soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) are both strong electrolytes, so they dissociate completely in aqueous solution.
The dissociation of each compound is as follows:
- HCl(aq)→H+(aq)+Cl−(aq)\text{HCl} (aq) \rightarrow \text{H}^+ (aq) + \text{Cl}^- (aq)
- K2CO3(aq)→2 K+(aq)+CO32−(aq)\text{K}_2\text{CO}_3 (aq) \rightarrow 2 \, \text{K}^+ (aq) + \text{CO}_3^{2-} (aq)
Thus, the ionic equation is: 2 H+(aq)+CO32−(aq)→H2O(l)+CO2(g)2 \, \text{H}^+ (aq) + \text{CO}_3^{2-} (aq) \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) + \text{CO}_2 (g)
Explanation:
- Dissociation of Electrolytes: Both HCl and K2CO3 are strong electrolytes. This means they dissociate completely in water to form ions. HCl dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl-), while K2CO3 dissociates into potassium ions (K+) and carbonate ions (CO3^2-).
- Reaction between Ions: The reaction occurs when the hydrogen ions (H+) from HCl combine with the carbonate ions (CO3^2-) from K2CO3 to form water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The potassium ions (K+) and chloride ions (Cl-) remain in the solution as spectator ions, meaning they do not participate in the actual chemical change.
- Gas Formation: The reaction produces CO2 as a gas, which is released into the air, and water, which forms as a liquid. This reaction is an example of an acid-base reaction, where H+ from the acid neutralizes the CO3^2- from the base to form CO2 and H2O.
The final ionic equation represents the net chemical change, excluding the spectator ions.