Write balanced ionic equations for the following reactions. (b) Aqueous barium hydroxide is neutralized by aqueous nitric acid.

Key Concepts

Neutralization Reaction

A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt. In this context, barium hydroxide (a base) reacts with nitric acid (an acid) to form barium nitrate and water. Understanding this concept is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction and writing the balanced equation.

Ionic Equations

Ionic equations represent the species involved in a chemical reaction in their ionic forms. In aqueous solutions, strong electrolytes dissociate into their constituent ions. Writing balanced ionic equations requires identifying the ions present in the reactants and products, which helps in visualizing the actual chemical changes occurring during the reaction.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, adhering to the law of conservation of mass. This involves adjusting coefficients in front of compounds rather than changing subscripts. Mastery of this concept is essential for accurately representing the stoichiometry of the reaction.