[OTI]

So I was given a problem that gave the balanced equation

Cu 2 0 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) ----------> 2 CuCl (aq) + H20

And I am supposed to write a net ionic equation for this.
The problem I am having is that I don't know how to get the oxygen.
My teacher told me that you couldn't split solids, liquids, or gases, but only things in an aqueous solution.
Is this only for the right side or does it apply to both sides?
If so, what do I do?

Would it be correct if I wrote this?

2 H (+) (aq) + 0 (-2) (Dunno here) -----------> H20 (l)

Thanks.

[Borek]

Is this only for the right side or does it apply to both sides?

Both.

If so, what do I do?

If I understand what your problem is - just use Cu₂O(s) on the left, without splitting it.

Note that CuCl is insoluble, so technically it should be listed as CuCl(s) on the right, no idea why it is given as CuCl(aq).

[OTI]

So would the net equation be like this?

 Cu 2 0 (s) + H (-) (aq) ----------> 2 Cu (+) (s) + H 2 0 (l)

Assuming that everything the problem gave me was true?

[Borek]

No such thing as H^-, and the product should be - if you are decided to follow my note about CuCl insolubility - CuCl(s). What you wrote doesn't make sense - separate ions are always present only in solution, so they can be only in the (aq) form. So the product on the right is either Cu⁺(aq) or CuCl(s).

Also note your reaction equation is not balanced. First, you have 1 H on the left, but 2 H on the right. Second, charges don't balance (and they have to, just like atoms). You have -1 on the left and +2 on the right.

[OTI]

Ouch.

Okay, I think I got it!


Cu 2 0 (s) + 2 H (+) (aq) ---------> 2 Cu (+) (aq) + H 2 0 (l)

[Borek]

Cu 2 0 (s) + 2 H (+) (aq) ---------> 2 Cu (+) (aq) + H 2 0 (l)

Or, to format it properly:

Cu₂O(s) + 2H⁺(aq) 2Cu⁺(aq) + H₂O(l)

Looks OK (if we ignore CuCl insolubility, that's in line with the equation you listed at the very beginning).

Can you try to write another one, assuming CuCl is insoluble?

[OTI]

Okay!

Cu₂0 (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) + Cl^- (aq) ----------> 2CuCl (s) + H₂0 (l)


(finally read forum rules for the first time and figured out how to format)

[AWK]

Use capital "o" = "O" instead "0" (zero) in chemical formulas

[OTI]

Okay, got it.