Question

Write a chemical equation for the reaction of nitric acid with aqueous ammonium hydroxide to give aqueous ammonium nitrate plus water.

Short answer

The balanced chemical equation is: HNO₃ (aq) + NH₄OH (aq) → NH₄NO₃ (aq) + H₂O (l).

Step-by-step solution

Identify Reactants and Products

The reactants in this chemical reaction are nitric acid (HNO₃) and ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH). The products of this reaction are ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and water (H₂O).

Write Reactants' Chemical Formulas

The chemical formulas for the reactants are written as follows: Nitric acid is represented by HNO₃ and ammonium hydroxide by NH₄OH.

Write Products' Chemical Formulas

For the products, the formulas are: Ammonium nitrate is written as NH₄NO₃ and water is represented by H₂O.

Formulate the Unbalanced Chemical Equation

Using the chemical formulas, write out the unbalanced equation: HNO₃ (aq) + NH₄OH (aq) → NH₄NO₃ (aq) + H₂O (l).

Balance the Chemical Equation

Check to ensure each type of atom is balanced on both sides of the equation. In this case, the equation is already balanced as there is 1 Nitrogen (N), 4 Hydrogen (H), and 3 Oxygen (O) atoms on both sides. So the balanced equation remains the same: HNO₃ (aq) + NH₄OH (aq) → NH₄NO₃ (aq) + H₂O (l).

Key concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is an important skill when studying chemistry. It ensures the law of conservation of mass is obeyed, meaning the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation. To balance an equation, you typically start by writing the unbalanced equation with all the reactants and products included.Here's a simple guide to balancing:

• Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
• Adjust coefficients, which are the numbers placed in front of compounds, to balance atoms one element at a time.
• Revisit each element to ensure they remain balanced as you adjust others.
• Remember never to change subscripts within a chemical formula as this alters the compound itself.

In our example equation, the balancing is straightforward as each side already has the same number of nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Thus, the balanced equation for the reaction between nitric acid and ammonium hydroxide remains: \[ \text{HNO}_3 (aq) + \text{NH}_4\text{OH} (aq) \rightarrow \text{NH}_4\text{NO}_3 (aq) + \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) \].

Reactants and Products

In a chemical reaction, reactants are the starting materials that undergo a transformation. Products are the new substances formed as a result of the reaction. Understanding these concepts helps you write and balance chemical equations accurately.For our given reaction:

• Reactants: Nitric acid (\( \text{HNO}_3 \)) and ammonium hydroxide (\( \text{NH}_4\text{OH} \)) start the process.
• Products: As a result, we form ammonium nitrate (\( \text{NH}_4\text{NO}_3 \)) and water (\( \text{H}_2\text{O} \)).

It is important to identify reactants and products correctly because each plays a distinct role in the chemical equation. The reaction proceeds by breaking chemical bonds in the reactants and forming new bonds to create the products. Each substance's chemical behavior is governed by its molecular structure, leading to the transformation seen in chemical processes.

Chemical Formulas in Equations

Chemical formulas represent substances using symbols for their constituent elements and numbers for the quantity of atoms. These formulas are essential in writing chemical equations, as they define the arrangements of atoms.Consider the formulas in our reaction:

• Nitric Acid: \( \text{HNO}_3 \) denotes a compound with one hydrogen (H), one nitrogen (N), and three oxygen atoms (O).
• Ammonium Hydroxide: \( \text{NH}_4\text{OH} \) consists of one nitrogen (N), four hydrogens (H), and one oxygen (O).
• Ammonium Nitrate: \( \text{NH}_4\text{NO}_3 \) displays one nitrogen (N), four hydrogens (H), and three oxygens (O).
• Water: \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) is simple, consisting of two hydrogen (H) and one oxygen (O).

Using these formulas in equations enables us to quantify and understand the transformation that occurs during a chemical reaction. Correctly using chemical formulas also assures clarity and accuracy when communicating chemical information.