Write the ions present in the solution Na2CO3…..express answers as chemical formulas separated by commas.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer:
Na⁺, CO₃²⁻
Explanation:
When sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) dissolves in water, it dissociates completely into its constituent ions because it is a soluble ionic compound. The formula Na₂CO₃ indicates that each formula unit contains two sodium ions (Na⁺) and one carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻).
The dissociation reaction in water is:
Na₂CO₃ (aq) → 2 Na⁺ (aq) + CO₃²⁻ (aq)
This equation shows that one unit of sodium carbonate produces two sodium ions and one carbonate ion when it dissolves in water.
Let’s break this down further:
- Sodium ions (Na⁺) are monovalent cations, meaning they have a single positive charge. Since there are two sodium atoms in Na₂CO₃, two Na⁺ ions are released.
- Carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻) is a polyatomic ion with a charge of minus two. It remains intact in aqueous solution and balances the charge of the two Na⁺ ions.
Because sodium carbonate is classified as a strong electrolyte, it dissociates completely in solution. Therefore, the only species present in significant amounts are the free ions. There are no Na₂CO₃ molecules floating around in solution, only Na⁺ and CO₃²⁻ ions.
These ions can conduct electricity in the solution, which is one of the reasons sodium carbonate is often used in laboratory and industrial applications that require conductive solutions.
In summary, the ions present in an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate are:
Na⁺, CO₃²⁻
This shows a total dissociation of the salt into its individual ionic components.
