Questions: Refer to the following incomplete precipitation reaction: Ni2(SO3)3(aq) + (NH4)3PO4(aq) → a. For the reaction above, provide the balanced molecular equation. Be sure to include states of matter and show all work.

Refer to the following incomplete precipitation reaction:
Ni2(SO3)3(aq) + (NH4)3PO4(aq) →
a. For the reaction above, provide the balanced molecular equation. Be sure to include states of matter and show all work.
Transcript text: Refer to the following incomplete precipitation reaction: $\mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}(a q)+\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}(a q) \rightarrow$ a. For the reaction above, provide the balanced molecular equation. Be sure to include states of matter and show all work.
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Reactants and Products

The given reaction involves nickel(III) sulfite, Ni2(SO3)3\mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}, and ammonium phosphate, (NH4)3PO4\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}. These reactants are in aqueous form, as indicated by the (aq) state. The reaction is a precipitation reaction, which typically results in the formation of an insoluble solid (precipitate) and possibly other soluble products.

Step 2: Determine the Possible Products

In a precipitation reaction, the cations and anions from the reactants exchange partners. The possible products are nickel(III) phosphate, NiPO4\mathrm{NiPO}_{4}, and ammonium sulfite, (NH4)2SO3\mathrm{(NH}_{4})_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}.

Step 3: Write the Unbalanced Molecular Equation

The unbalanced molecular equation for the reaction is: Ni2(SO3)3(aq)+(NH4)3PO4(aq)NiPO4(s)+(NH4)2SO3(aq) \mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}(aq) + \left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}(aq) \rightarrow \mathrm{NiPO}_{4}(s) + \mathrm{(NH}_{4})_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}(aq)

Step 4: Balance the Chemical Equation

To balance the equation, ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.

  1. Nickel (Ni): There are 2 Ni atoms in Ni2(SO3)3\mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}, so we need 2 NiPO4\mathrm{NiPO}_{4} on the product side.
  2. Sulfite (SO3_3): There are 3 SO3_3 groups in Ni2(SO3)3\mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}, so we need 3 (NH4)2SO3\mathrm{(NH}_{4})_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3} on the product side.
  3. Ammonium (NH4_4): There are 3 NH4_4 groups in (NH4)3PO4\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}, so we need 2 (NH4)3PO4\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4} on the reactant side to balance with 3 (NH4)2SO3\mathrm{(NH}_{4})_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}.

The balanced equation is: Ni2(SO3)3(aq)+2(NH4)3PO4(aq)2NiPO4(s)+3(NH4)2SO3(aq) \mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}(aq) + 2\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}(aq) \rightarrow 2\mathrm{NiPO}_{4}(s) + 3\mathrm{(NH}_{4})_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}(aq)

Final Answer

The balanced molecular equation for the reaction is: Ni2(SO3)3(aq)+2(NH4)3PO4(aq)2NiPO4(s)+3(NH4)2SO3(aq) \boxed{\mathrm{Ni}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}(aq) + 2\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}(aq) \rightarrow 2\mathrm{NiPO}_{4}(s) + 3\mathrm{(NH}_{4})_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}(aq)}

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