2 NaCl (aq) + Ca(NO₃)₂ (aq) → CaCl₂ (aq) + 2 NaNO₃ (aq)
Here's why:
* Reactants:
* Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a soluble ionic compound.
* Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) is also a soluble ionic compound.
* Products:
* Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is a soluble ionic compound.
* Sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) is a soluble ionic compound.
* Balancing:
* We need two moles of sodium chloride (NaCl) to provide two sodium ions (Na⁺) to balance with the two nitrate ions (NO₃⁻) from one mole of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂).
* This also produces two moles of sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) and one mole of calcium chloride (CaCl₂).
Important Note: This reaction is a double displacement reaction where the cations and anions of the reactants switch partners. However, it's also considered a metathesis reaction because all the products are soluble in water, meaning no precipitate is formed. In other words, the reaction occurs but doesn't result in any visible change.
