1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
Na₂CO₃(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
2Na⁺(aq) + CO₃²⁻(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → 2Na⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)
3. Identify and cancel the spectator ions:
Spectator ions are those that appear on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction. In this case, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ are spectator ions.
4. Write the net ionic equation:
CO₃²⁻(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) → H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)
Therefore, the net ionic equation for the reaction of sodium carbonate with hydrochloric acid is:
CO₃²⁻(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) → H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)