Here's the balanced chemical equation:
Na₂CO₃(aq) + Cu(NO₃)₂(aq) → CuCO₃(s) + 2NaNO₃(aq)
Here's what happens:
* Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) is a soluble ionic compound that dissociates in water to form sodium ions (Na⁺) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻).
* Copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂) is also soluble and dissociates into copper(II) ions (Cu²⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻).
* When these solutions are mixed, the copper(II) ions (Cu²⁺) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻) combine to form copper(II) carbonate (CuCO₃), which is insoluble in water and precipitates out as a solid.
* The remaining ions, sodium (Na⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻), remain in solution as sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), which is soluble.
Evidence of the Reaction:
* You will observe the formation of a blue-green precipitate (copper(II) carbonate) when the two solutions are mixed.
* The reaction is also exothermic, meaning it releases heat and the solution will feel slightly warm.
Let me know if you have any other questions.