1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
H₂SO₄(aq) + CaI₂(aq) → CaSO₄(s) + 2HI(aq)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
This involves breaking down all the soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
2H⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) + Ca²⁺(aq) + 2I⁻(aq) → CaSO₄(s) + 2H⁺(aq) + 2I⁻(aq)
3. Identify and cancel out spectator ions:
Spectator ions are those that appear on both sides of the equation and don't participate in the reaction. In this case, both H⁺ and I⁻ are spectator ions:
2H⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) + Ca²⁺(aq) + 2I⁻(aq) → CaSO₄(s) + 2H⁺(aq) + 2I⁻(aq)
4. Write the net ionic equation:
The net ionic equation only includes the ions that react:
Ca²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) → CaSO₄(s)
This equation shows that the calcium ions and sulfate ions combine to form the precipitate calcium sulfate (CaSO₄).