Write the net ionic equation for the reaction of citric acid and sodium

Write the net ionic equation for the reaction of citric acid and sodium

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

To provide the net ionic equation for the reaction between citric acid and sodium hydroxide, we need to break down the complete ionic equation into the net ionic equation. Here’s how we can do it:

1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
   The reaction between citric acid (C6H8O7) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) forms sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) and water (H2O). The molecular equation is: C6H8O7(aq)+3NaOH(aq)→Na3C6H5O7(aq)+3H2O(l)C_6H_8O_7 (aq) + 3 NaOH (aq) \rightarrow Na_3C_6H_5O_7 (aq) + 3 H_2O (l)C6​H8​O7​(aq)+3NaOH(aq)→Na3​C6​H5​O7​(aq)+3H2​O(l)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
   In aqueous solutions, both citric acid and sodium hydroxide dissociate into their respective ions. Sodium hydroxide dissociates into Na+ and OH-. Citric acid dissociates into H+ (protons) and the citrate ion (C6H5O7^3-). The complete ionic equation is: 3H+(aq)+C6H5O73−(aq)+3Na+(aq)+3OH−(aq)→3Na+(aq)+C6H5O73−(aq)+3H2O(l)3 H^+ (aq) + C_6H_5O_7^{3-} (aq) + 3 Na^+ (aq) + 3 OH^- (aq) \rightarrow 3 Na^+ (aq) + C_6H_5O_7^{3-} (aq) + 3 H_2O (l)3H+(aq)+C6​H5​O73−​(aq)+3Na+(aq)+3OH−(aq)→3Na+(aq)+C6​H5​O73−​(aq)+3H2​O(l)
3. Eliminate spectator ions:
   The sodium ions (Na+) and the citrate ions (C6H5O7^3-) are present on both sides of the equation. These ions do not participate in the chemical change, so they are spectator ions and can be removed. The net ionic equation is: 3H+(aq)+3OH−(aq)→3H2O(l)3 H^+ (aq) + 3 OH^- (aq) \rightarrow 3 H_2O (l)3H+(aq)+3OH−(aq)→3H2​O(l)

This equation shows the actual chemical reaction that occurs: hydrogen ions (H+) from citric acid combine with hydroxide ions (OH-) from sodium hydroxide to form water (H2O).