When an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate is added to an aqueous solution of calcium nitrate, a precipitate forms. (a) Write a net ionic equation for the precipitation. (b) Write the precipitation reaction in a way that emphasizes that a double- replacement reaction has taken place.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) The net ionic equation for the precipitation is: \(Ca^{2+} (aq) + SO_4^{2-} (aq) \rightarrow CaSO_4 (s)\) (b) The precipitation reaction emphasizing a double-replacement reaction is: \(2NH_4^+ (aq) + SO_4^{2-} (aq) + Ca^{2+} (aq) + 2NO_3^- (aq) \rightarrow Ca^{2+} (aq) + SO_4^{2-} (aq) + 2NH_4^+ (aq) + 2NO_3^- (aq)\)

Step by step solution

01

Write the balanced molecular equation

Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction between ammonium sulfate and calcium nitrate. Ammonium sulfate is (NH4)2SO4 and calcium nitrate is Ca(NO3)2. This reaction generates calcium sulfate (CaSO4) and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). The balanced molecular equation for the reaction is: (NH4)2SO4 (aq) + Ca(NO3)2 (aq) -> CaSO4 (s) + 2 NH4NO3 (aq)
02

Break the molecular equation into ions

Now, we need to break up the molecular equation into its ionic components: 2 NH4+ (aq) + SO4^2- (aq) + Ca^2+ (aq) + 2 NO3- (aq) -> CaSO4 (s) + 2 NH4+ (aq) + 2 NO3- (aq)
03

Write the net ionic equation

First, remove the spectator ions which are the ions that appear on both sides of the equation. In this case, 2 NH4+ (aq) and 2 NO3- (aq) are spectator ions. By removing them, we get the net ionic equation: Ca^2+ (aq) + SO4^2- (aq) -> CaSO4 (s)
04

Write the precipitation reaction for a double-replacement reaction

To emphasize the double-replacement aspect of the reaction, we will rewrite the molecular equation using the ions. This will demonstrate that the ions from the reactants are swapping places to form the products: 2NH4+ (aq) + SO4^2- (aq) + Ca^2+ (aq) + 2NO3- (aq) -> Ca^2+ (aq) + SO4^2- (aq) + 2NH4+ (aq) + 2NO3- (aq) This is our double-replacement reaction.

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