Question

Write the net ionic equation of aluminum hydroxide and nitric acid. Al(OH)3(s)

Answer 1

Answer: 2Al(OH)₃ (s) + 6H⁺ (aq) + 6NO₃⁻ (aq) → 2Al³⁺ + 6NO₃⁻ + 6H₂O (l)

Explanation:

1) Start understanding the nature of the reactants, the kind of reaction that occurs, and the nature of the products:

i) word equation:

aluminium hydroxide + nitric acid → aluminum nitrate + water

ii) molecular equation, including the phases:

2Al(OH)₃ (s) + 6HNO₃ (aq) → 2Al(NO₃)₃ (aq) + 6H₂O (l)

iii) It is a neutralization reaction between an amphoteric compound, which is acting as a base, soluble in acid, and an acid in a aqueous solution, leading to the formation of a soluble salt and water in a double replacement reaction.

2) Separate the ionic aqueous compounds into its ions

i) Reactant side:

6HNO₃ (aq) = 6H⁺ (aq) + 6NO₃⁻ (aq)

Al(OH)₃ (s) remains unchanged because it is in solid form

ii) Product side

2Al(NO₃)₃ (aq) = 2Al³⁺ + 6NO₃⁻

H₂O (l) remains unchanged because it is in liquid form.

3) Write both sides, i.e. the complete reaction in the ionic form:

2Al(OH)₃ (s) + 6H⁺ (aq) + 6NO₃⁻ (aq) → 2Al³⁺ + 6NO₃⁻ + 6H₂O (l)

4) Spectator ions

Observe that there are not spectator ions. All the ions are participating.

Hence, the net ionic equation is the same complete ionic equation.

Answer 2

The molecular reaction would be:

Al(OH)3 + HNO3 ---> Al(NO3)3 + 3 H2O 

The net ionic equation would be as follows:

Al(OH)3 (s) + 3 H+ (aq) -----> Al3+(aq) + 3 H2O (l)

Hope this helps.