Here's how to determine the net ionic equation for the reaction between hydrocyanic acid (HCN) and potassium hydroxide (KOH):

1. Write the balanced molecular equation:

HCN(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCN(aq) + H₂O(l)

2. Write the complete ionic equation:

H⁺(aq) + CN⁻(aq) + K⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) → K⁺(aq) + CN⁻(aq) + H₂O(l)

3. Identify and cancel spectator ions:

* Spectator ions are ions that appear on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction.

* In this case, K⁺(aq) and CN⁻(aq) are spectator ions.

4. Write the net ionic equation:

H⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) → H₂O(l)

Explanation:

The net ionic equation represents the actual chemical change that occurs in the reaction. In this case, the reaction is a neutralization reaction where a hydrogen ion (H⁺) from the acid combines with a hydroxide ion (OH⁻) from the base to form water.