[Neerolyte]

This is extremely shameful...but i seriously can't get this question.

Balance the NET IONIC EQUATION.
No species should appear on both sides of a properly balanced reaction equation. Therefore some coeffcient must be "0"

NO3-(aq) + Cu(s) + H+(aq) --> H2O(l) + NO3-(aq) + Cu^2+(aq) + NO2(g)

Ultimately i got

1NO3-(aq) + 1Cu(s) + 2H+(aq) --> 1H2O(l) + 0NO3-(aq) + 1Cu^2+(aq) + 1NO2(g)

i have no idea why that's wrong...i balanced the COMPLETE IONIC EQUATION then i cancel out one of the NO3, then shouldn't that be right?

[mike]

Cu + HNO₃ ---> NO + Cu(NO₃)₂ + H₂O

This is the unbalanced equation for the reaction of Cu and nitric acid, is this the reaction you are trying?

[Neerolyte]

NO3-(aq) + Cu(s) + H+(aq) --> H2O(l) + NO3-(aq) + Cu^2+(aq) + NO2(g)

this is the equation given

[mike]

4HNO₃ + Cu ---> Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2NO₂ + 2H₂O

I think maybe you forgot to balance the charges(?)

What do you think of this?

[Neerolyte]

oh okay
then the complete ionic equation of that will be

4H⁺ + 4NO₃^- + Cu --> Cu²⁺ + NO₃^- + 2NO₂ + 2H₂O

for the Net Ionic Equation

do i cancel the NO₃ so i'll end up with 3 NO₃ on the left and no NO₃ on the left? because for a net ionic equation, your not suppose to have the same species on both sides of the equation.

[mike]

there are 2 NO₃^- don't forget

so cancel two of them on both sides so the charges balance.

[Neerolyte]

then the Os wouldn't be balanced...

arg i don't get it

[mike]

Yes the oxygen atoms do balance!

4H⁺ + 2NO₃^- + Cu ---> Cu²⁺ + 2NO₂ + 2H₂O

[Neerolyte]

Oh yes oh yes i didn't see that 4NO₃

Thank you so much  

i got it now.