Solving a Reaction Problem: Total Ionic Equation

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The discussion focuses on writing the total ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous ammonium acetate and sulfuric acid. The initial complete formula equation is provided, but the user struggles with converting it to the total ionic equation. Participants emphasize that this is a neutralization reaction and highlight the importance of considering the ammonium ion's behavior and its dissociation constant (Ka). They clarify that the ammonium ion and bisulfate ion are spectator ions and suggest that the net ionic equation simplifies to H+ + C2H3O2- → HC2H3O2. The conversation underscores the need to focus on the net ionic equation for the neutralization process.
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I have trouble writing the total ionic equation when aqueous ammonium acetate is mixed with sulfuric acid.

After I wrote the complete formula equation, I got:
2NH_{4}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}(aq) + H_{2}SO_{4}(aq) \rightarrow (NH_{4})_{2}SO_{4}(aq) + 2HC_{2}H_{3}O_{2}(aq)

I don't know how this is written in the total ionic equation. Can anyone help?

So far, I got:
2NH^+_4(aq) + 2C_2H_3O_2(aq) + H^+(aq) + HSO^-_4(aq) \rightarrow 2NH^+_4(aq) +SO^{2-}_4(aq) + 2H^+(aq) + 2C_2H_3O_2^-(aq)
 
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You're going to have a neutralization reaction between acetate and sulfuric acid right? You'll need to also consider the ammonium and it's Ka.
 
GCT said:
You're going to have a neutralization reaction between acetate and sulfuric acid right? You'll need to also consider the ammonium and it's Ka.

What is Ka? I thought that I was supposed to write the ions of the aqueous solutions for both reactant and product. I did this in lab last week, so I know that there must be some reaction. I don't know how to balance the equation or write the ionic equation for this mixture.
 
GCT said:
You're going to have a neutralization reaction between acetate and sulfuric acid right? You'll need to also consider the ammonium and it's Ka.

he's only asked to write the net ionic equation not solve for th pH, from what he has written, i think

isnt what you have written all you have to do anyway?
 
The ammonium ion is a spectator ion, so that won't be in the net ionic equation. Also, the H+ will react with the C2H3O2- to form acetic acid. I don't think HSO4- will dissociate at all, so the sulfate ion will not form...I think HSO4- will also be a spectator ion.

I think the net ionic equation might be:

H+ + C2H3O2- ---> HC2H3O2

I may be wrong though - this is one of my worst parts of chemistry =(
 
Yeah, at least write up the net ionic equation pertaining to the neutralization reaction, and we can go from there.
 

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