Question

give the spectator ions for the reactions that occur when aqueous solutions of H2SO4 and KOH are mixed. Thank you so much.

Answer 1

Potassium ions and sulfate ions.

Explanation

Start with the chemical equation for this reaction.

Sulfuric acid $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ is a strong acid. Potassium hydroxide $\text{KOH}$ is a strong base. Acids neutralize base in aqueous environments to produce a salt and water.

That is:

Sulfuric Acid + Potassium Hydroxide → Potassium sulfate + Water

$\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \; (aq) + 2\; \text{KOH} \; (aq) \to \text{K}_2\text{SO}_4 \; (aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O} \; (l)$

Rewrite the chemical equation as an ionic one. Take all strong electrolytes- including strong acids, strong bases, and soluble salts- apart as their comprising ions. Do not take water molecules apart. As a weak electrolyte, water molecules barely disassociate to produce ions.

$2 \; \text{H}^{+} \; (aq) + \text{SO}_4^{2-} \; (aq) + 2 \; \text{K}^{+} \; (aq) + 2 \; \text{OH} \; (aq)\\ \to 2\; \text{K} \; (aq) + \text{SO}_4^{2-} \; (aq) + 2\; \text{H}_2 \text{O} \; (l)$

Ions that are present on both sides of the equation by the same quantity do not take part in the net reaction. They are thus considered spectator ions.

• Potassium ions $\text{K}^{+}$
• Sulfate ions $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$