Consider the following concentration–time data for the reaction of iodide ion and hypochlorite ion (OCl^-). The products are chloride ion and hypoiodite ion (OI^-).
(a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.

Ionic Compounds and Reactions

Ionic compounds consist of positively and negatively charged ions. In the given reaction, iodide ion (I^-) and hypochlorite ion (OCl^-) react to form chloride ion (Cl^-) and hypoiodite ion (OI^-). Understanding the behavior of these ions in solution is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction and writing the balanced equation.

Reaction Products

Identifying reaction products is essential for writing balanced equations. In this case, the reaction between iodide and hypochlorite ions produces chloride and hypoiodite ions. Recognizing the nature of the reactants and the expected products helps in formulating the correct balanced equation, which reflects the transformation occurring during the reaction.