# What is the net ionic equation of the reaction of MgSO4 with Pb(NO3)2?

Feb 17, 2015

$S {O}_{4 \left(a q\right)}^{2 -} + P {b}_{\left(a q\right)}^{2 +} \to P b S {O}_{4 \left(s\right)}$

#### Explanation:

The balanced equation for this reaction is

$M g S {O}_{4 \left(a q\right)} + P b {\left(N {O}_{3}\right)}_{2 \left(a q\right)} \to M g {\left(N {O}_{3}\right)}_{2} \left(a q\right) + P b S {O}_{4} \left(s\right)$

The complete ionic equation is

$M {g}_{\left(a q\right)}^{2 +} + S {O}_{4 \left(a q\right)}^{2 -} + P {b}_{\left(a q\right)}^{2 +} + 2 N {O}_{3 \left(a q\right)}^{-} \to P b S {O}_{4 \left(s\right)} + M {g}_{\left(a q\right)}^{2 +} + + 2 N {O}_{3 \left(a q\right)}^{-}$

If you eliminate spectator ions, which are the ions thatcan be found both on the reactants' and on the products' side, you'll get the net ionic equation

$S {O}_{4 \left(a q\right)}^{2 -} + P {b}_{\left(a q\right)}^{2 +} \to P b S {O}_{4 \left(s\right)}$

Lead (II) sulfate is insoluble in aqueous solution and will form a precipitate.

Here is another example which illustrates how to write a net ionic equation.

Video from: Noel Pauller