Making insoluble salts

2 marks · Easy

In the reaction between zinc nitrate solution and sodium carbonate solution, a precipitate forms.

Explain which ions are the spectator ions in this reaction.

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The spectator ions are sodium ions (Na^+) and nitrate ions (NO3^-).

Also accept: Na^+ and NO3^-

Common mistakes: Zinc ion and carbonate ion; All ions listed

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · Identifies sodium ions (Na^+) as spectator ions.

B2 · 1 mark · Identifies nitrate ions (NO3^-) as spectator ions.

Worked solution

The sodium ions (Na^+) and nitrate ions (NO3^-) do not take part in the formation of the precipitate, so they are spectator ions.