Question

Write complete ionic equation to show the reaction of aqueous hg2(no3)2 with aqueous sodium chloride to form solid hg2cl2 and aqueous sodium nitrate. express your answer as a chemical equation. identify all of the phases in your answer.

Answer 1

First we start with our molecular equation to ensure all atoms are balanced in order to maintain the law of conservation of mass.

$Hg_2(NO_3)_2_(_a_q_) + NaCl_(_a_q_) \implies Hg_2Cl_2_(_s_) + NaNO_3_(_a_q_)$.

The equation is unbalanced since we have 1 Cl atom on left hand side as opposed to 2 on the right hand side and we have 2 $NO_3$ molecules on left hand side and 1 on the right hand side. So we add a coefficient of 2 on  both the $NaCl$ and $NaNO_3$

$Hg_2(NO_3)_2_(_a_q_) + 2NaCl_(_a_q_) \implies Hg_2Cl_2_(_s_) + 2NaNO_3_(_a_q_)$

The reaction occurs between solutes that are soluble in water to give a solid as a precipitate. So the complete ionic equation will show the soluble compounds in their dissociated states as ions in water and the insoluble compound as a solid.

$2Hg^+_(_a_q_) + 2NO_3^-_(_a_q_) + 2Na^+_(_a_q_) + 2Cl^- _(_a_q_) \implies Hg_2Cl_2_(_s_) + 2Na^+_(_a_q_) + 2NO_3^-_(_a_q_)$

Answer 2

Answer: Hg2(NO3)2 + 2 NaCl --------> Hg2Cl2 + 2 NaNO3 Hg2+2 + 2NO3-1 + 2Na+ Cl- ----> Hg2Cl