Question

When solid Fe metal is put into an aqueous solution of Sn(NO3)2, solid Sn metal and a solution of Fe(NO3)2 result. Write the net ionic equation for the reaction. (Use the solubility rules provided in the OWL Preparation Page to determine the solubility of compounds.)

Answer 1

Fe(s) + Sn²⁺(aq) ⇒ Sn(s) + Fe²⁺(aq)

Step-by-step explanation:

When solid Fe metal is put into an aqueous solution of Sn(NO₃)₂, solid Sn metal and a solution of Fe(NO₃)₂ result. The resulting molecular equation is:

Fe(s) + Sn(NO₃)₂(aq) ⇒ Sn(s) + Fe(NO₃)₂

The full ionic equation includes all the ions and the species that do not dissociate in water.

Fe(s) + Sn²⁺(aq) + 2 NO₃⁻(aq) ⇒ Sn(s) + Fe²⁺(aq) + 2 NO₃⁻(aq)

The net ionic equation includes only the ions that participate in the reaction (not spectator ions) and species that do not dissociate in water.

Fe(s) + Sn²⁺(aq) ⇒ Sn(s) + Fe²⁺(aq)