[FouRRaW]

Hi, so i got this question....
Write the balanced total ionic equation, identify the spectator ions and write the net ionic equation.
Silver nitrate + Aluminum chloride ---> Silver chloride(s) + Aluminum nitrate

My attempt..
1st) -- I write out and balance the equation

3Ag(NO₃) + AlCl₃  --->  3AgCl + Al(NO₃)₃

2nd)

I write out the net ionic equation....

3Ag⁺ + NO₃^- + Al³⁺ + Cl^3- --> 3Ag⁺ + Cl^- + Al³⁺ + (NO3)₃^-

3rd)      I get spectator ions of Al³⁺ and 3Ag⁺, but that's the wrong answer did i mess up on writing the total net ionic equation???

Thanks

[FouRRaW]

well i figured out that you dont dissociate solids in the total net ionic equation.. so i'll keep trying...

[FouRRaW]

i stil don't get why 3NO₃ does't count as a spectator ion b/c isn't it the same on both sides?

[FouRRaW]

wait a minute i think Al³⁺ and 3NO₃^- are the spectator ions b/c they remain unchanged on both sides and then for the net ionic equation.. it would be

3Ag⁺ + 3Cl^- ---> 3AgCl  which simplifies to..

Ag⁺ + Cl^- ----> AgCl

am i correct??

[Yggdrasil]

Yup this is the correct net ionic equation.  Usually for these equations its helpful to write out the phases of the compounds to make it more clear.  For example, in the original equation:

3AgNO_{3 (aq)} + AlCl_{3 (aq)} --> 3AgCl _(s) + Al(NO₃)_{3 (aq)}

So that it's clear which substances you need to treat as ions when figuring out the net ionic equation.

[FouRRaW]

ya sorry i guess it would have helped if i would have written the phases, in the beginning i didn't think it'd matter but from now on i'll include everything in the question to make it more clear
thanks