2Al+Zn(NO3)2=2Al(NO3)3+Zn net ionic equation?

1 Answer
Nov 9, 2015

#2Al^@ (s)# + #3Zn^"2+"# = #2Al^"3+"# + #3Zn^@ (s)# (net ionic equation)

Explanation:

The equation given above is wrongly balanced, so I have to correct it first.

#Al^@# + #Zn(NO_3)_2# = #Al(NO_3)_3# + #Zn^@# (unbalanced)

Tallying the atoms based on subscripts,

left side: #Al# = 1; #Zn# = 1; #(NO_3)_3# = 2
right side: #Al# = 1; #Zn# = 1; #(NO_3)_3# = 3

Notice that I am considering the #NO_3^-# ion as one "atom" in order to avoid confusing myself.

Balancing the equations we have:

#color (blue) 2Al^@ (s) # + #color (red) 3 Zn(NO_3)_2# = #color (green) 2Al(NO_3)_3# + #color (magenta) 3Zn^@ (s)# (balanced)

left side: #Al# = (1 x #color (blue) 2#) = 2; #Zn# = (1 x #color (red) 3#) = 3; #(NO_3)_3# = (2 x #color (red) 3#) = 6
right side: #Al# = (1x #color (green) 2#) = 2; #Zn# = (1 x #color (magenta) 3#) = 3; #(NO_3)_3# = (3 x #color (green) 2#) = 6

Now that we have the correct balance equation, we must rewrite the equation showing all the ions involved in the reaction.

#2Al^@ (s) # + #3Zn^"2+"# + #6NO_3^-# = #2Al^"3+"# + #6NO_3^-# + #3Zn^@ (s)#

Notice that for the #NO_3^-#, I multiply the subscript with the substance's coefficient. Now let us get rid of your spectator ions (ions that are present in both sides of the equation).

#2Al^@ (s) # + #3Zn^"2+"# + #cancel (6NO_3^-)# = #2Al^"3+"# + #cancel (6NO_3^-)# + #3Zn^@ (s)#

Now let's show the electrons per half-reaction:

#2Al^@ (s) # = #2Al^"3+"# + #6e^-#

#3Zn^"2+"# + #6e^-# = #3Zn^@ (s)#

Thus, the net ionic equation is

#2Al^@ (s)# + #3Zn^"2+"# = #2Al^"3+"# + #3Zn^@ (s)#