Al(NO₃)₃ (aq) + 3NaOH (aq) → Al(OH)₃ (s) + 3NaNO₃ (aq)
Here's a breakdown:
* Al(NO₃)₃ (aq): Aluminum nitrate (aq) represents aluminum nitrate in an aqueous solution.
* 3NaOH (aq): Sodium hydroxide (aq) represents sodium hydroxide in an aqueous solution.
* Al(OH)₃ (s): Aluminum hydroxide (s) is a solid precipitate that forms during the reaction.
* 3NaNO₃ (aq): Sodium nitrate (aq) represents sodium nitrate in an aqueous solution.
Explanation:
This is a double displacement reaction. The aluminum and sodium ions swap partners. Aluminum ions (Al³⁺) from aluminum nitrate combine with hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from sodium hydroxide to form the insoluble aluminum hydroxide precipitate. The sodium ions (Na⁺) from sodium hydroxide combine with nitrate ions (NO₃⁻) from aluminum nitrate to form soluble sodium nitrate.
Key points:
* The reaction is balanced, meaning the same number of atoms of each element appears on both sides of the equation.
* The states of matter are indicated: (aq) for aqueous (dissolved in water) and (s) for solid.
* This reaction is also a precipitation reaction because it produces an insoluble solid (aluminum hydroxide).
