Question

Does a precipitate form when a solution of calcium chloride and a solution of mercury(I) nitrate are mixed together? Write the net ionic equation.

Answer 1

Answer : Yes, a precipitate form when a solution of calcium chloride and a solution of mercury(I) nitrate are mixed together.

The net ionic equation will be,

$2Hg^{+}(aq)+2Cl^{-}(aq)\rightarrow Hg_2Cl_2(s)$

Explanation :

In the net ionic equations, we are not include the spectator ions in the equations.

Spectator ions : The ions present on reactant and product side which do not participate in a reactions. The same ions present on both the sides.

The given balanced ionic equation will be,

$CaCl_2(aq)+2HgNO_3(aq)\rightarrow Ca(NO_3)_2(aq)+Hg_2Cl_2(s)$

The ionic equation in separated aqueous solution will be,

$Ca^{2+}(aq)+2Cl^{-}(aq)+2Hg^{+}(aq)+2NO_3^{-}(aq)\rightarrow Hg_2Cl_2(s)+Ca^{2+}(aq)+2NO_3^{-}(aq)$

In this equation, $Ca^{2+}\text{ and }NO_3^-$ are the spectator ions.

By removing the spectator ions from the balanced ionic equation, we get the net ionic equation.

The net ionic equation will be,

$2Hg^{+}(aq)+2Cl^{-}(aq)\rightarrow Hg_2Cl_2(s)$