When solid mercury(I) carbonate, Hg2CO3, is added to nitric acid, HNO3, a reaction occurs to give mercury(II) nitrate, Hg1NO322, water, and two gases A and B: Hg2CO31s2 + HNO31aq2¡ Hg1NO3221aq2 + H2O1l 2 + A1g2 + B1g2 (e) Write a balanced equation for the reaction of mercury(I) carbonate with nitric acid.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. 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, while keeping the identities of the reactants and products unchanged.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions can be classified into several types, including synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion. The reaction between mercury(I) carbonate and nitric acid is a double replacement reaction, where the cations and anions exchange partners. Understanding the type of reaction helps predict the products formed and the overall behavior of the reactants.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on balanced equations. It allows chemists to determine the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction. In this context, stoichiometry is essential for understanding the ratios of mercury(I) carbonate, nitric acid, and the resulting products, including the gases A and B, which are not specified but can be inferred from the reaction.