Question

Write balanced net ionic equations for the following reactions in acid solution. (a) Nitrogen oxide and hydrogen gases react to form ammonia gas and steam. (b) Hydrogen peroxide reacts with an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite to form oxygen and chlorine gases. (c) Zinc metal reduces the vanadyl ion \(\left(\mathrm{VO}^{2+}\right)\) to vanadium(III) ions. Zinc ions are also formed.

Short answer

Question: Write the balanced net ionic equations for the following reactions occurring in acid solutions. a) Nitrogen oxide and hydrogen gases react to form ammonia gas and steam. b) Hydrogen peroxide reacts with an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite to form oxygen and chlorine gases. c) Zinc metal reduces the vanadyl ion (\(\mathrm{VO}^{2+}\)) to vanadium(III) ions, and zinc ions are also formed. Answer: a) $$\mathrm{NO} + \mathrm{2H_2} \rightarrow \mathrm{NH_3}+\mathrm{H_2O}$$ b) $$\mathrm{2H_2O_2} + \mathrm{2ClO^-} \rightarrow \mathrm{2H_2O} +\mathrm{O_2}+\mathrm{Cl_2}$$ c) $$\mathrm{Zn}+\mathrm{VO^{2+}}+4\mathrm{H^+}\rightarrow\mathrm{V^{3+}}+\mathrm{Zn^{2+}}+2\mathrm{H_2O}$$

Step-by-step solution

a) Nitrogen oxide and hydrogen gases react

First, write the complete balanced equation: $$\mathrm{NO} + \mathrm{2H_2} \rightarrow \mathrm{NH_3}+\mathrm{H_2O}$$ Since there are no spectator ions for this reaction, the complete equation is also the net ionic equation. $$\mathrm{NO} + \mathrm{2H_2} \rightarrow \mathrm{NH_3}+\mathrm{H_2O}$$ Make sure that the equation is balanced in terms of both atoms and charges.

b) Hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite react

Write the complete balanced equation: $$\mathrm{2H_2O_2} + \mathrm{2NaClO} \rightarrow \mathrm{2H_2O} + \mathrm{2NaCl} +\mathrm{O_2}+\mathrm{Cl_2}$$ Remove the spectator ions (Na\(^+\) and Cl\(^-\)) to obtain the net ionic equation: $$\mathrm{2H_2O_2} + \mathrm{2ClO^-} \rightarrow \mathrm{2H_2O} +\mathrm{O_2}+\mathrm{Cl_2}$$ Check that the equation is balanced in terms of both atoms and charges.

c) Zinc metal reduces vanadyl ion to vanadium(III) ions

Write the complete balanced equation: $$\mathrm{Zn}+\mathrm{VO^{2+}}+4\mathrm{H^+}\rightarrow\mathrm{V^{3+}}+\mathrm{Zn^{2+}}+2\mathrm{H_2O}$$ In this case, there are no spectator ions, so the complete equation is also the net ionic equation: $$\mathrm{Zn}+\mathrm{VO^{2+}}+4\mathrm{H^+}\rightarrow\mathrm{V^{3+}}+\mathrm{Zn^{2+}}+2\mathrm{H_2O}$$ Verify that the equation is balanced in terms of both atoms and charges.