[SOLVED] Chemistry - how to do oinic equations

[advanced]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Hi. I'm having problems with ionic equations. How do you turn a normal chemical equation into an ionic equation and what is the point of an ionic equation?

2. Relevant equations

Example - how do I turn these into ionic equations?:

CuO + 2HCl --> CuCl2 + H20

CaCO3 + HCl --> CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

3. The attempt at a solution

erm . . .

[symbolipoint]

The point is that those are both ionic reactions, and all compounds shown in those reactions are ionic. The only exception is the products, water and carbon dioxide, which are compounds of covalent bonds.

[rocomath]

What makes up an Ionic bond?

\mbox{Reactants} \rightarrow \mbox{Products}

[advanced]

Cool - so how do I write an ionic equation?

Thanks

[Kushal]

take th reaction between alkalis and acids as example.
NaOH + HCl -------> NaCl + H2O

the ions Na+ and Cl- will remain as such in the solution, since NaCl dissociates almost fully to give Na+ and Cl-. Such ions are called spectator ions.

but H+ and OH- will fomr H2O. the H2O molecule dissociates only partially, most of it remains as H2O molecules and not H+ and OH-.

therefore, H+ + OH- ------> H2O

this is the ionic equation of the above reaction.

i hope this helps you....

[rocomath]

Cool - so how do I write an ionic equation?

Thankswow good effort

[advanced]

cool - I think I've got it now - thanks

[Kushal]

i don't think what i wrote is the exact explanation for writing ionic equations, but i'm glad it helped.