Representation Using Chemical Equations
See also: solubility productAn example of a precipitation reaction: Aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) is added to a solution containing potassium chloride (KCl), the precipitation of a white solid, silver chloride is observed. (Zumdahl, 2005)
- AgNO3 (aq) + KCl (aq) → AgCl (s) + KNO3 (aq)
The silver chloride (AgCl) has formed a solid, which is observed as a precipitate.
This reaction can be written emphasizing the dissociated ions in a combined solution. This is known as the ionic equation.
- Ag+ (aq) + NO3− (aq) + K+ (aq) + Cl− (aq) → AgCl (s) + K+ (aq) + NO3− (aq)
A final way to represent a precipitate reaction is known as a net ionic reaction. In this case, any spectator ions (those that do not contribute to the reaction) are left out of the formula completely. This simplifies the above equations to the following:
- Ag+ (aq) + Cl− (aq) → AgCl (s)
Read more about this topic: Precipitation (chemistry)
Famous quotes containing the word chemical:
“If Thought is capable of being classed with Electricity, or Will with chemical affinity, as a mode of motion, it seems necessary to fall at once under the second law of thermodynamics as one of the energies which most easily degrades itself, and, if not carefully guarded, returns bodily to the cheaper form called Heat. Of all possible theories, this is likely to prove the most fatal to Professors of History.”
—Henry Brooks Adams (1838–1918)