Consider the reaction when aqueous solutions of sodium sulfide and potassium carbonate are combined. What will the net ionic equation be? Specify if the states are (aq) or (s)

1 Answer
Meave60
Feb 21, 2018

#"Na"_2"S(aq) + K"_2"CO"_3("aq")"##rarr##"no reaction"#

Explanation:

This reaction doe not occur. The products of this reaction are aqueous sodium carbonate and aqueous potassium sulfide.

At first glance, this appears to be a double replacement reaction. However, in a double replacement reaction, one product must be a precipitate (solid), an insoluble gas, or water. However, in this instance both "products" are aqueous.

#"Na"_2"S(aq) + K"_2"CO"_3("aq")"##rarr##"Na"_2"CO"_3("aq")+ "K"_2"S(aq)"#

Therefore, this reaction does not occur.

#"Na"_2"S(aq) + K"_2"CO"_3("aq")"##rarr##"no reaction"#

What you actually have is a mixture of aqueous #"Na"^(+)"#, #"S"^(2-)"#, #"K"^(+)"#, and #"CO"_3^(2-)# ions.

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