Aqueous Reactions

You can navigate to specific sections of this handout by clicking on the links below.

Defining Aqueous Reactions: pg. 1

Precipitation Reactions: pg. 1
Acid-Base Reactions: pg. 5
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions: pg. 6
Practice Problems: pg. 10

Defining Aqueous Reactions

Aqueous reactions are reactions that take place in water. To understand them, it is
important to understand how compounds behave in water. Some compounds are
electrolytes- they dissociate into separate ions in water. However, not all electrolytes
behave the same way. Some are strong electrolytes, and dissociate completely, so no
ions are left bonded together. Others are weak electrolytes- they only partly dissociate,
and many of their ions are still bonded to each other. Other substances, nonelectrolytes,
do not dissociate at all.

There are three main types of aqueous reactions: precipitation reactions, acid-base
reactions, and oxidation-reduction (or redox) reactions.

Precipitation Reactions

Precipitation reactions produce an insoluble product- the precipitate. They contain two
aqueous reactants, one aqueous product, and one solid product.

𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷(𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑶𝟑𝟑 )𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑰𝑰(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 (𝒔𝒔) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑶𝑶𝟑𝟑 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) ∗

0F

In this reaction, two soluble products, Pb(NO3)2 and KI, combine to form one soluble
product, KNO3, and one insoluble product, PbI2. This is a precipitation reaction, and PbI2
is the precipitate.

∗
In chemical equations, certain abbreviations are used to indicate the state of the substances involved. The
abbreviations are as follows: s = solid; l = liquid; g = gaseous; aq = aqueous, or soluble in water.
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Determining the Products of a Precipitation Reaction

To determine the products of a precipitation reaction, reverse the cation-anion pairs. **

For example, at the beginning of the above reaction, lead is bonded to nitrate, and
potassium is bonded to iodine. The products are these pairs reversed- lead with iodine,
and potassium with nitrate. Precipitation reactions follow this formula:

𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 + 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩 → 𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 + 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩

The products are just the cation-anion pairs reversed, or the “outies” (A and Y joined) and
the “innies” (B and X joined).

Determining Whether or Not a Reaction is a Precipitation Reaction

Once you know the products of a reaction, you can use the solubility rules to see if you
have an insoluble product, and thus, a precipitation reaction.

Solubility Rules:

Soluble: Exceptions:
All ionic compounds
containing:
1. Alkali metals (group 1A) 1. None
2. Ammonium (NH4+) 2. None
3. Nitrate (NO3-) 3. None
4. Acetate (C2H3O2-) 4. None
5. Chloride (Cl-) 5. AgCl, PbCl2, Hg2Cl2, Cul2
6. Bromide (Br-) 6. AgBr, PbBr2, Hg2Br2, CuBr2
7. Iodide (I-) 7. AgI, PbI2, Hg2I2, CuI2
8. Sulfate (SO42-) 8. 8. SrSO4, BaSO4, Hg2SO4, PbSO4, CaSO4

Insoluble: Exceptions:
Compounds containing:
1. S2- 1. When bonded to ammonium, alkali metals,
2. CO32- Ca2+, Sr2+, or Ba2+
3. PO43- 2. When bonded to ammonium or alkalis
4. OH- 3. Same as above

**
If you need help determining the formulas for these new ionic compounds from the ions, look at the
Academic Center for Excellence’s handout, “Naming Compounds.”
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 4. When bonded to alkali metals, Ca2+, Sr2+, or
Ba2+

Example: Predict the products formed by the aqueous reaction below and determine
whether or not the reaction is a precipitation reaction.

𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝒍𝒍𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑲𝑲𝟐𝟐 𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑶𝟒𝟒 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) →

The first step is to predict the products, which we do by reversing the pairs, giving us
BaSO4, and KCl. Remember to balance the equation.
𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝒍𝒍𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑲𝑲𝟐𝟐 𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑶𝟒𝟒 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑶𝑶𝟒𝟒 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐

Next, we use the solubility rules to determine if this is a precipitation reaction. The table
tells us that compounds containing alkali metals, such as potassium, are soluble– thus KCl
is soluble. We also see that sulfate is soluble except when bonded to barium! Thus, BaSO4
is insoluble, and this is a precipitation reaction. The whole balanced equation is:

𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝒍𝒍𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒒𝒒) + 𝑲𝑲𝟐𝟐 𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑶𝟒𝟒 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑶𝑶𝟒𝟒 (𝒔𝒔) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝒍𝒍(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

Ionic Equations

Something that is useful when dealing with precipitation reactions is the ability to write
ionic equations, which show the compounds as individual ions. Until now, you have been
writing chemical equations in this form:

𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷(𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑶𝟑𝟑 )𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑰𝑰(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 (𝒔𝒔) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑶𝑶𝟑𝟑 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

Equations written this way are known as molecular equations. They have a variation
known as a complete ionic equation, in which all soluble strong electrolytes are written
as individual ions. Thus, the above reaction becomes:

𝑷𝑷𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐+ − + − + −
(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑶𝑶𝟑𝟑 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝑲𝑲(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝑰𝑰(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 (𝒔𝒔) + 𝟐𝟐𝑲𝑲(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑶𝑶𝟑𝟑 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

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Now, each soluble strong electrolyte is written as separate ions. The equation is still
balanced (for example, there are two nitrate ions in the compound Pb(NO3)2, so NO3- has
a coefficient of 2), and everything is in the same state (aqueous or solid).

When writing a complete ionic equation, remember that only soluble strong electrolytes
are written as individual ions. You already have the guidelines for determining if
something is soluble; below is a table which can be used to determine if a substance is a
strong, weak, or nonelectrolyte.

Electrolytic Behavior of Soluble Compounds:

Strong Electrolyte Weak Electrolyte Nonelectrolyte
Ionic Compound All None None
Molecular Strong acids Weak acids and bases All other
Compound (coming later!) (coming later!) compounds

Remember, only soluble strong electrolytes are written as individual ions. Thus, in the
above equation, although PbI2 is an ionic compound and thus a strong electrolyte, it is not
written as separate ions because it is insoluble.

A shorter ionic equation is the net ionic equation. In the complete ionic equation above,
the potassium and nitrate ions appear in identical forms on both sides of the equation.
The lead and iodine ions undergo a change from individual ions to an insoluble compound,
but the potassium and nitrate ions do not. Ions which appear in identical forms on both
sides are called spectator ions, and do not actively participate in the reaction. If we
eliminate them, the net ionic equation is left. The net ionic equation of the above reaction
looks like this:

𝑷𝑷𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐+ −
(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝑰𝑰(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 (𝒔𝒔)

We simply took out the spectator ions- the potassium and nitrate- and ended with the
net ionic equation.
To summarize the series of steps to get from one form of an equation to another:
1. Write a balanced molecular equation, just like you’ve been doing.
2. Rewrite the equation, showing all soluble, strong electrolytes as individual ions, to
get the complete ionic equation. Keep it balanced.
3. Eliminate all spectator ions to get the net ionic equation.

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Acid-Base Reactions

Acids are substances that release H+ ions in water. Bases accept these H+ ions, and
produce OH- in water (occasionally a base such as ammonia, NH3, won’t contain OH-. Most
bases, though, contain hydroxide). Like other electrolytes, there are both strong and weak
acids and bases. It is important to know the strong acids and bases from the weak:

Strong Acids Common Strong Bases

1. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) 1. LiOH
2. Hydrobromic acid (HBr) 2. NaOH
3. Hydroiodic acid (HI) 3. KOH
4. Chloric acid (HClO3) 4. RbOH
5. Perchloric acid (HClO4) 5. CsOH
6. Nitric acid (HNO3) 6. Ca(OH)2
7. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) 7. Sr(OH)2
8. Ba(OH)2
All other acids and almost all other bases you will encounter are weak.
Acid-Base Reactions: Neutralization Reactions

When acids and bases react, a neutralization reaction occurs. In this reaction, the acid
donates an H+ ion. This joins with the hydroxide ion from the base to form water, while
the anion from the acid and the cation from the base join to form an ionic compound.
Here is a typical acid base reaction:

𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝒍𝒍(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑯𝑯(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝑶𝑶(𝒍𝒍) + 𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝒍𝒍(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

In this reaction, hydrochloric acid joins with sodium hydroxide, a base. The H+ from the
acid, and the OH- from the base join to form water, while the Cl- and Na+ ions join to form
sodium chloride. In fact, these neutralization reactions have the same form as the
precipitation reactions we looked at earlier:

𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 + 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩 → 𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 + 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩

In general, any neutralization reaction between an acid and base produces water and a
salt (the term salt here refers to any ionic compound whose cation comes from a base,
and whose anion comes from an acid- for example, Na+ from NaOH, and Cl- from HCl in
the above reaction).

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Now, write the complete ionic form of the above reaction. You should get:

𝑯𝑯+ − + − + −
(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑪𝑪𝒍𝒍(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑵𝑵𝒂𝒂(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑶𝑶𝑯𝑯(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝑶𝑶(𝒍𝒍) + 𝑵𝑵𝒂𝒂(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑪𝑪𝒍𝒍(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

Next, write the net ionic equation. It should look like this:

𝑯𝑯+ −
(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑶𝑶𝑯𝑯(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝑶𝑶(𝒍𝒍)

This equation summarizes the essential feature of the reaction between any strong acid
and strong base- a hydrogen ion and a hydroxide ion forming water. Any reaction
between a strong acid and a strong base can be brought back to this. Only strong acid-
strong base reactions can be reduced this way, however. With weak acids or bases, it’s a
bit different, as we see in this reaction involving acetic acid:

𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑪𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑 𝑶𝑶𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩(𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶)𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝟐𝟐𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝑶𝑶(𝒍𝒍) + 𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩(𝑪𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑 𝑶𝑶𝟐𝟐 )𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

When writing the complete ionic equation for this reaction, remember that acetic acid is
a weak electrolyte. Thus, the complete ionic equation is:

𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑪𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑 𝑶𝑶𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝑩𝑩𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐+ − 𝟐𝟐+ −

(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝑶𝑶𝑯𝑯(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝟐𝟐𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝑶𝑶(𝒍𝒍) + 𝑩𝑩𝒂𝒂(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝑪𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑 𝑶𝑶𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

If we write the net ionic equation, it comes to:

𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑪𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑 𝑶𝑶𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑯𝑯− −

(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) → 𝟐𝟐𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝑶𝑶(𝒍𝒍) + 𝟐𝟐𝑪𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑 𝑶𝑶𝟐𝟐 (𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)

Because this reaction involves a weak acid, we cannot reduce it to the same short
equation that we could in our strong acid-strong base reaction.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-reduction, or redox reactions, take place between metals and non-metals.

Below is a good example of a redox reaction:

𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝒂𝒂(𝒔𝒔) + 𝑪𝑪𝒍𝒍𝟐𝟐 (𝒈𝒈) → 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝒍𝒍(𝒔𝒔)

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At the beginning of the reaction, the sodium metal is composed of atoms—all with a net
charge of zero (the positive charges of sodium’s 11 protons are balanced by the negative
charges of its 11 electrons). The same is true of the chlorine gas (each chlorine atom has
17 protons and 17 electrons). However, the product contains sodium in the form Na+ and
chlorine in the form Cl-. Somewhere along the line, these neutral atoms became ions. This
is the result of a transfer of electrons. In the above reaction, an electron is transferred
from a sodium atom to a chlorine atom. The sodium atoms now have ten electrons,
instead of eleven. This means that the sodium has one more proton than electron and
has a charge of +1. The chlorine now has one more electron than proton and has a charge
of -1. The positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged chloride ion are
attracted to each other and bond—forming sodium chloride. A reaction like this, that
involves the transfer of electrons, is a redox reaction. For further information on redox
reactions, see the ACE handout Oxidation-Reduction Reactions.

Oxidation and Reduction

During a redox reaction, two processes take place—oxidation and reduction. When
something loses electrons and becomes more positively charged, it has been oxidized.
When something gains electrons, becoming more negatively charged, it has been reduced
(think of the gain of electrons as reducing the positive charge). We also say that the
substance that is reduced is the oxidizing agent (causes the oxidation of the other), while
the substance that is oxidized is the reducing agent (causes the reduction of the other).
In the above reaction, sodium, which loses an electron, is oxidized while chlorine, which
gains the electron, is reduced. Thus, sodium is the reducing agent, and chlorine is the
oxidizing agent. In order to determine which part of a reaction is being oxidized and which
is being reduced, we use oxidation numbers. These are numbers used to keep track of
the electrons in a reaction. Each atom is assigned one oxidation number on the reactant
side of the equation and another on the product side. The change in oxidation numbers
from one side of the reaction to the other lets us know if something has been oxidized or
reduced. The rules for oxidation numbers are as follows:

1. The oxidation number for an atom in its elemental form is always zero.
i. Each atom in the H2 molecule has an oxidation number of zero, as
does each atom in the P4 molecule.
ii. If you are not sure if something is in its elemental form, look up the
form in which it appears in either Appendix 4 of Chemistry: The
Science in Context, or Appendix C of Chemistry: The Central Science.
Once you have located the form of the element you are dealing
with, look at the value in the ∆H°f column. If the ∆H°f value for that
particular form is zero, then it is in its elemental state.

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 2. The oxidation number for any monoatomic ion always equals the charge
on that ion.
i. Thus K+ has an oxidation number of +1, and S2- has an oxidation
number of -2 (when writing charges, put the number before the
sign; when writing oxidation numbers, put the sign before the
number).
ii. The alkali metals (Group 1A) always have an oxidation number of
+1; the alkaline earth metals (Group 2A) always have an oxidation
number of +2, and aluminum always has an oxidation number of
+3.
3. Nonmetals usually have negative oxidation numbers, but occasionally
have positive ones.
i. Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2. The main exception
is in compounds containing peroxide (O22-), in which each oxygen
atom has an oxidation number of -1.
ii. Hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1 when bonded to
nonmetals and -1 when bonded to metals.
iii. Fluorine always has an oxidation number of -1. The other halogens
have an oxidation number of -1 in most binary compounds;
however, when combined with oxygen, they have positive
oxidation states.
4. The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a compound is zero;
the sum of oxidation numbers of all atoms in a polyatomic ion equals the
charge of the ion.
i. In NaCl, the sum of the oxidation numbers of the sodium and the
chloride is zero.
ii. In H3O+, the sum of the oxidation numbers of the hydrogen and the
oxygen is +1.
iii. This rule is very useful for finding the oxidation number of an atom
in an ion or compound if you know the oxidation numbers of the
other atoms.
5. The change in an oxidation number from one side of the equation to
another indicates whether a substance has been oxidized or reduced.
i. If the oxidation number of an atom becomes more positive, the
atom has lost electrons and been oxidized
ii. If the oxidation number of an atom becomes more negative, the
atom has gained electrons and been reduced.

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Let’s look at an example of a problem involving oxidation numbers.

𝑍𝑍𝑛𝑛(𝑠𝑠) + 2𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝑍𝑍𝑍𝑍𝑍𝑍𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 (𝑔𝑔)

What are the oxidation numbers on the zinc, chlorine, and hydrogen? What is being
oxidized, and what is being reduced?

Let’s start by assigning oxidation numbers on the reactant side of the equation. The zinc
is in its elemental form, so its oxidation number is zero. The hydrogen is bonded to a non-
metal, so its oxidation number is +1. Chlorine forms monoatomic ions, so its oxidation
number is the same as its charge: -1. We know these numbers for the hydrogen and
chlorine are right because HCl is a compound, so the oxidation numbers in it must add up
to zero, which -1 and +1 indeed do.
Now let’s look at the product side. Here, chlorine is bonded to zinc. Again, its oxidation
number equals its charge, and is -1. Now we need to determine the oxidation number of
the zinc. We know that ZnCl2 is a compound, so its oxidation numbers must add up to
zero. We also know that the oxidation number on each chlorine atom in the compound is
-1. Because there are two chlorine atoms, the total value of the oxidation numbers
provided by chlorine is -2. There is only one zinc atom, so if we are to get a value of zero
for the compound, the oxidation number on the zinc must be +2. The oxidation number
on each hydrogen atom is zero, since the hydrogen is now in its elemental form.

To summarize: the zinc has an oxidation number of 0 on the reactant side, and +2 on the
product side; the chlorine has an oxidation number of -1 on each side; and the hydrogen
has an oxidation number of +1 on the reactant side, and 0 on the product side. Because
the zinc’s oxidation number becomes more positive, we know that it has lost electrons
and been oxidized. Conversely, because the hydrogen’s oxidation number has become
more negative, we know that it has gained electrons and been reduced. The chlorine’s
oxidation number did not change, so it was neither oxidized nor reduced.

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 Practice Problems

1. Predict the products for the following reactions. Write the balanced equations,
determine whether or not the reactions are precipitation reactions, and identify
the precipitate. Write the complete and net ionic equations for all precipitation
reactions that are present.
a. 𝐵𝐵𝑎𝑎(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
b. 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎2 𝑆𝑆(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
c. 𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻4 𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
d. 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
e. 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →

2. Complete and balance each of the following equations. Identify the acid and the
base in each reaction, and write the complete and net ionic equations.
a. 𝐻𝐻2 𝑆𝑆𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
b. 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
c. 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑟𝑟(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →
d. 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)3 (𝑠𝑠) →
e. 𝐻𝐻𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) →

3. Give the oxidation number for chlorine in each of the following molecules:
a. HClO
b. HClO3
c. ClO4-

4. Give the oxidation number for nitrogen in each of the following molecules:
a. N2
b. N2H4
c. NH4+

5. Balance each of the following redox reactions. Assign each atom an oxidation
number. Determine which is being oxidized and which is being reduced.
a. 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎(𝑠𝑠) + 𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠) → 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎2 𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠)
b. 𝑀𝑀𝑔𝑔(𝑠𝑠) + 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑔𝑔) → 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑂𝑂(𝑠𝑠)
c. 𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎(𝑠𝑠) + 𝐹𝐹2 (𝑔𝑔) → 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐹𝐹2 (𝑠𝑠)
d. 𝐹𝐹𝑒𝑒(𝑠𝑠) + 𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙2 (𝑔𝑔) → 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝑙𝑙3 (𝑠𝑠)
e. 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝑂𝑂(𝑠𝑠) + 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑔𝑔) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙) → 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)3 (𝑠𝑠)

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 Answer Key
1. Precipitation reactions
a. 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 2𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)
i. This is not a precipitation reaction.
b. 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎2 𝑆𝑆(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 2𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠)
i. This is a precipitation reaction. CuS is the precipitate.
+ 2− 2+ +
ii. 2𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑆𝑆(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝑢𝑢(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 2𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) +
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠)
2− 2+
iii. 𝑆𝑆(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝑢𝑢(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠)
c. 2𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻4 𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 2𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻4 𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑙𝑙2 (𝑠𝑠)
i. This is a precipitation reaction. PbCl2 is the precipitate.
− 2+
ii. 2𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻4+ (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑃𝑃𝑏𝑏(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3− (𝑎𝑎𝑞𝑞) → 2𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻4+ (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) +
2𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑙𝑙2 (𝑠𝑠)
− 2+
iii. 2𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑃𝑃𝑏𝑏(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑙𝑙2 (𝑠𝑠)
d. 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑂𝑂4 (𝑠𝑠)
i. This is a precipitation reaction. BaSO4 is the precipitate.
2+ 2+ − 2+ −
ii. 𝑀𝑀𝑔𝑔(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑆𝑆𝑂𝑂42− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑞𝑞) → 𝑀𝑀𝑔𝑔(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) +
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑂𝑂4 (𝑠𝑠)
2+
iii. 𝑆𝑆𝑂𝑂42− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑂𝑂4 (𝑠𝑠)
e. 2𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑙𝑙2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 2𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)
i. This is not a precipitation reaction.
2. Acid-Base Reactions
a. 𝐻𝐻2 𝑆𝑆𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
i. H2SO4 is the acid, and Ca(OH)2 is the base.
+ 2+ − 2+
ii. 2𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑆𝑆𝑂𝑂42− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑆𝑆𝑂𝑂42− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) +
2𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)

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 + −
iii. 2𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 2𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 2𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙) (because they are all the same, the
coefficients may be left out)
b. 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂4 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
i. HClO4 is the acid, and NaOH is the base.
+ + − +
ii. 𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂4− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂4− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) +
𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
+ −
iii. 𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
c. 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑟𝑟(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝑟𝑟(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
i. HBr is the acid, and KOH is the base
+ − + − + −
ii. 𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝑟𝑟(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐾𝐾(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐵𝐵𝑟𝑟(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
+ −
iii. 𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
d. 3𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝑂𝑂3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)3 (𝑠𝑠) → 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3 )3 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 3𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
i. HNO3 is the acid, and Al(OH)3 is the base
+ 3+
ii. 3𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 3𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)3 (𝑠𝑠) → 𝐴𝐴𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 3𝑁𝑁𝑂𝑂3− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) +
3𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
+ 3+
iii. 3𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)3 (𝑠𝑠) → 𝐴𝐴𝑙𝑙(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 3𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
e. 𝐻𝐻𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐾𝐾𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)
f. 𝐻𝐻𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐾𝐾𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
i. HC2H3O2 is the acid, and KOH is the base
+ − +
ii. 𝐻𝐻𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐾𝐾(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐾𝐾(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
−
iii. 𝐻𝐻𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝑂𝑂𝐻𝐻(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) → 𝐶𝐶2 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂2− (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙)
3. Oxidation numbers of chlorine
a. +1 (H= +1, O= -2. All oxidation numbers must add up to zero)
b. +5 (H= +1, O= -2, and there are three O atoms for a total of -6. All numbers
must add up to zero)
c. +7 (O= -2, and there are four O atoms for a total of -8. All oxidation
numbers must add up to -1 since that is the charge on the ion)
4. Oxidation numbers of nitrogen

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 a. 0 (It is in its elemental state)
b. -2 (H= +1, and there are four H atoms for a total of +4. The oxidation
numbers must add up to zero, and there are two N atoms, so the two N
atoms combined must add up to -4. Therefore, the oxidation number on
an individual N atom in this compound is -2)
c. -3 (H= +1, and there are four H atoms, for a total of +4. The oxidation
numbers must add up to +1, which is the charge on the ion, so the nitrogen
must be -3)
5. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
a. 2𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎(𝑠𝑠) + 𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠) → 𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎2 𝑆𝑆(𝑠𝑠)
i. Reactant ox. nos.: Na = 0 (elemental state); S = 0 (elemental state)
ii. Product ox. nos.: Na = +1 (charge on ion); S = -2 (there are two Na
atoms with an ox. no. of +1 each and the numbers must add up to
zero)
iii. Na is oxidized; S is reduced
b. 2𝑀𝑀𝑔𝑔(𝑠𝑠) + 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑔𝑔) → 2𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑂𝑂(𝑠𝑠)
i. Reactant ox. nos.: Mg = 0 (elemental state); O = 0 (elemental state)
ii. Product ox. nos.: Mg = +2 (charge on ion); O = -2 (oxygen is always
-2, unless in its peroxide form; this also makes the numbers add up
to zero)
Mg is oxidized; O is reduced
c. 𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎(𝑠𝑠) + 𝐹𝐹2 (𝑔𝑔) → 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐹𝐹2 (𝑠𝑠)
i. Reactant ox. nos.: Ca = 0 (elemental state); F = 0 (elemental state)
ii. Product ox. nos.: Ca = +2 (charge on ion); F = -1 (fluorine always has
a charge of -1)
iii. Ca is oxidized; F is reduced
d. 2𝐹𝐹𝑒𝑒(𝑠𝑠) + 3𝐶𝐶𝑙𝑙2 (𝑔𝑔) → 2𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝑙𝑙3 (𝑠𝑠)
i. Reactant ox. nos.: Fe = 0 (elemental state); Cl = 0 (elemental state)
ii. Product ox. nos.: Cl = -1 (charge on ion); Fe = +3 (there are three Cl
atoms, each with an ox. no. of -1, and the numbers must add up to
zero)
iii. Fe is oxidized; Cl is reduced
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 e. 4𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝑂𝑂(𝑠𝑠) + 𝑂𝑂2 (𝑔𝑔) + 6𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂(𝑙𝑙) → 4𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹(𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂)3 (𝑠𝑠)
i. Reactant ox. nos.: O in FeO = -2 (oxygen is always -2, unless in its
peroxide form); Fe = +2 (numbers must add up to zero); O in O2 = 0
(elemental state); H = +1 (hydrogen is always +1 when bonded to a
non-metal); O in H2O = -2 (oxygen is always -2 unless in its peroxide
form; this also makes the numbers add up to zero)
ii. Product ox. nos.: H = +1 (hydrogen is always +1 when bonded to a
nonmetal); O = -2 (oxygen is always -2 unless in its peroxide form);
Fe = +3 (there are three hydroxide ions- thus, there are three
hydrogen ions each with an ox. no. of +1, so the total of the
hydrogen ox. nos. is +3. There are also three oxygen atoms, each
with an ox. no, of -2, so the total of the oxygen ox. nos. is -6. The
oxygen ox. nos., plus the hydrogen ox. nos. is thus -3 (-6+3). The ox.
nos. must add up to zero, so iron is +3)
iii. Fe is oxidized; O from O2 is reduced

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