Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction of the amphoteric oxide ZnO with:
a. Hydrochloric acid

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the reaction: ZnO (zinc oxide) reacts with HCl (hydrochloric acid) to form ZnCl2 (zinc chloride) and H2O (water).
2. Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction: \[ \text{ZnO} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
3. Break down the soluble compounds into their respective ions to write the complete ionic equation: \[ \text{ZnO} + 2\text{H}^+ + 2\text{Cl}^- \rightarrow \text{Zn}^{2+} + 2\text{Cl}^- + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
4. Identify and cancel out the spectator ions, which are ions that appear on both sides of the equation without undergoing any change. In this case, the \( \text{Cl}^- \) ions are spectators.
5. Write the net ionic equation by removing the spectator ions: \[ \text{ZnO} + 2\text{H}^+ \rightarrow \text{Zn}^{2+} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Key Concepts

Amphoteric Oxides

Amphoteric oxides are metal oxides that can react with both acids and bases. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a prime example, as it can neutralize acids to form salts and water, and can also react with bases. Understanding the amphoteric nature of ZnO is crucial for predicting its behavior in chemical reactions.

Net Ionic Equations

A net ionic equation represents the chemical species that are actually involved in a reaction, omitting spectator ions that do not participate. To write a net ionic equation, one must first write the complete ionic equation and then eliminate the ions that appear unchanged on both sides. This helps to focus on the essential chemical changes occurring in the reaction.

Acid-Base Reactions

Acid-base reactions involve the transfer of protons (H+) from an acid to a base. In the case of ZnO reacting with hydrochloric acid (HCl), ZnO acts as a base, accepting protons to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and water. Recognizing the roles of acids and bases in these reactions is fundamental for writing balanced equations.