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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Glorzifen on December 02, 2009, 10:09:03 PM

Title: How do I know when no reaction will occur?
Post by: Glorzifen on December 02, 2009, 10:09:03 PM

As the title states, how do I know when the products will react or not react in these examples?

HI(aq) + Zn(NO₃)₂(aq) --> ?
CuSO₄(aq) + Na₂CO₃(aq) --> ?
Cu(NO₃)₂(aq) + Na₃PO₄(aq) --> ?

Thanks!

Title: Re: How do I know when no reaction will occur?
Post by: pear on December 02, 2009, 11:02:53 PM

Solubility rules, mayhaps?

Title: Re: How do I know when no reaction will occur?
Post by: Glorzifen on December 03, 2009, 12:10:50 PM

Yeah. Shoulda figured this out on my own.

I have to look at the products and use the solubility table/rules to determine which form aqueous products and which form solid products. If all the products are aqueous, then no reaction occurs because its all just ions floating around.

I'm sure I'll be corrected by someone who knows better if I'm wrong.

Title: Re: How do I know when no reaction will occur?
Post by: pear on December 04, 2009, 08:51:07 PM

Don't be so hard on yourself, it isn't obvious when you're just learning it!

But you have the right idea.  Make sure you keep in mind that many of the solubility rules will have exceptions.  A lot of the time, those exceptions are the ones your teacher will assign.