Question

How do you write the total ionic equation and net ionic equation for the reaction of silver nitrate and potassium chloride?

Answer 1

Total ionic equation:
`Ag^(+)(aq) +NO_3^(-)(aq)+K^(+)(aq)+Cl^(-)(aq)->AgCl(s)+K^(+)(aq)+NO_3^(-)(aq)`

Net ionic equation: `Ag^(+)(aq)+Cl^(-)(aq)->AgCl(s)`

Explanation:

The reaction between silver nitrate `AgNO_3` and potassium chloride `KCl` is the following:

`AgNO_3(aq)+KCl(aq)->AgCl(s)+KNO_3(aq)`

During this reaction, a precipitate will form which is the silver chloride `AgCl`.

The total ionic equation would be:

`Ag^(+)(aq) +NO_3^(-)(aq)+K^(+)(aq)+Cl^(-)(aq)->AgCl(s)+K^(+)(aq)+NO_3^(-)(aq)`

The net ionic equation however, would be:

`Ag^(+)(aq)+Cl^(-)(aq)->AgCl(s)`

Notice, the spectator ions - which are the common ions in both sides - are removed from the net ionic equation.