Demonstrations › Chemical Reactions I › 4.5

Chemical Reactions I: Net ionic equations

4.5 Net ionic equations – No driving force for reaction = no reaction

Subjects: Chemical reactions, net ionic equations

Description: Two chemicals are mixed together resulting in no reaction.

Materials:

• 0.1 M Sodium hydroxide, NaOH‡
• 0.1 M Potassium acetate (KCH₃CO₂)‡
• 2 100 mL beakers
• 1 250 mL beaker

‡ Sodium hydroxide is located in the cabinet under the hood. 0.1 M Potassium acetate is located in the solutions cabinet.

Procedure:

1. Pour the individual solutions into labeled 100 mL beakers.
2. Pour both beakers into the 250 mL beaker.
3. Observe that no reaction takes place.

Discussion:

NaOH(aq) + KCH₃CO₂(aq) → Na(CH₃CO₂)(aq) + KOH(aq)

Na₊(aq)+ OH_-(aq)+ K₊(aq)+ CH₃CO₂^-(aq)→

Na⁺ + CH₃CO₂^-(aq) + K⁺(aq) + OH^-(aq)

All ions are soluble and are spectator ions. Therefore no reaction takes place.

Safety: None.

Disposal:

Check that the solution is between pH 2 and 12. It can be flushed down the drain with water.

References: Prof. Botch.

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