Question

For the metathesis reaction, K2CO3 + FeCl3, Write the balanced molecular equation. What evidence of reaction occurs in the mixture? Write the balanced ionic equation. Write the balanced net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs.

Answer 1

Answer: A red color precipitate is formed of iron (III) carbonate. The net ionic equation is written below.

Explanation:

Net ionic equation of any reaction does not include any spectator ions.

Spectator ions are defined as the ions which does not get involved in a chemical equation. They are found on both the sides of the chemical reaction when it is present in ionic form.

The chemical equation for the reaction of potassium carbonate and iron (III) chloride is given as:

$3K_2CO_3(aq.)+2FeCl_3(aq.)\rightarrow Fe_2(CO_3)_3(s)+6KCl(aq.)$

Balanced ionic form of the above equation follows:

$3K^+(aq.)+3CO_3^{2-}(aq.)+2Fe^{3+}(aq.)+6Cl^-(aq.)\rightarrow Fe_2(CO_3)_3(s)+6K^+(aq.)+6Cl^-(aq.)$

As, potassium and chloride ions are present on both the sides of the reaction. Thus, it will not be present in the net ionic equation and are spectator ions.

Iron (III) carbonate is a red colored solid which gets precipitated out.

The balanced net ionic equation for the above reaction follows:

$2Fe^{3+}(aq.)+3CO_3^{2-}(aq.)\rightarrow Fe_2(CO_3)_3$

Hence, a red color precipitate is formed of iron (III) carbonate. The net ionic equation is written above.