Title: Balanced Equations for the Reaction of Aqueous Nitric Acid and Aqueous Ammonia Balanced equation representing aqueous nitric acid and aqueous ammonia reacting: 4HNO3(aq) + NH3(aq) → NH4NO3(aq). Identify all of the phases in your answer. Balanced net ionic equation representing aqueous nitric acid and aqueous ammonia reacting: H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l). Identify all of the phases in your answer.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:1
Balanced Equations for the Reaction of Aqueous Nitric Acid and Aqueous Ammonia
Balanced molecular equation HNO3(aq) + NH3(aq) → NH4NO3(aq)
Phases:
- HNO3 is aqueous (aq)
- NH3 is aqueous (aq)
- NH4NO3 is aqueous (aq)
Balanced net ionic equation H+(aq) + NH3(aq) → NH4+(aq)
Phases:
- H+ is aqueous (aq)
- NH3 is aqueous (aq)
- NH4+ is aqueous (aq)
Explanation
The reaction between aqueous nitric acid and aqueous ammonia is an acid-base neutralization. Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong acid that dissociates completely in water, producing hydrogen ions (H+) and nitrate ions (NO3-). Ammonia (NH3), on the other hand, is a weak base that does not fully dissociate but readily accepts a proton (H+) to form ammonium (NH4+).
The balanced molecular equation shows that nitric acid donates a proton to ammonia, leading to the formation of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). Since all reactants and products remain dissolved in water, they are labeled as aqueous.
To derive the net ionic equation, we focus on the species directly involved in the proton transfer. The nitrate ion (NO3-) does not participate in the reaction and is considered a spectator ion. The essential process is the transfer of a hydrogen ion from the acid to ammonia, forming the ammonium ion (NH4+). This simplifies the reaction to H+ + NH3 → NH4+.
This reaction is significant in various chemical and industrial processes. Ammonium nitrate is widely used as a fertilizer and has applications in explosives. Additionally, acid-base interactions like this play an important role in buffering solutions and maintaining pH stability in biological and environmental systems.
