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During the O Level Chemistry’s Mole Calculation Mastery Workshop over the last weekend, i noticed to many students do not know how to obtain an Ionic Equations when given a question that has information based on word equation.

In order to benefit more students, especially those avid readers and learners (both locally and overseas), let me share with you the simple 7 steps that are required for you to obtain the Ionic Equation.

Step 1: Write down the Chemical Formulae of reactant & products.

Step 2: Check the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Step 3: Balance the Equation.

Step 4: Add the State Symbol

Step5: Identify Ionic Compounds/Substances that are soluble in water & split into ions

Step 6: Identify Spectator Ion(s) from equation

Step 7: Cancel out the Spectator Ions & write final Ionic Equation

Let’s take an example to dicuss:

Consider this example:
“Sodium Chloride solution are added to Silver Nitrate solution to form 2 products, a soluble Sodium Nitrate Solution and a insoluble Silver Chloride precipitate. Determine the Ionic Equation and the Spectator Ion(s).”

Working:

Balanced Chemical Equation:
NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) –> AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)

Splitting of ions:
Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq) + Ag+(aq) + NO3-(aq) –> AgCl(s) + Na+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

Cancellation of Spectator Ions (appear on both LHS and RHS):
Na+(aq) + Cl- (aq) + Ag+(aq) + NO3-(aq) –> AgCl (s) + Na+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

Species that are left over will make up the Ionic Equation:
Cl- (aq) + Ag+ (aq) –> AgCl (s) ———————– Final Ionic Equation!

Spectator Ions are: NO3-(aq) & Na+(aq)

PS: Let us know how you find about the strategy shown above. Do drop us a comment directly below this post.

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