1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
2 AgNO₃(aq) + Na₂CrO₄(aq) → Ag₂CrO₄(s) + 2 NaNO₃(aq)
2. Identify the soluble and insoluble compounds:
* Soluble: AgNO₃, Na₂CrO₄, and NaNO₃
* Insoluble: Ag₂CrO₄ (This forms a precipitate)
3. Write the complete ionic equation:
2 Ag⁺(aq) + 2 NO₃⁻(aq) + 2 Na⁺(aq) + CrO₄²⁻(aq) → Ag₂CrO₄(s) + 2 Na⁺(aq) + 2 NO₃⁻(aq)
4. Cancel out the spectator ions:
* Spectator ions: Na⁺ and NO₃⁻ (They appear on both sides of the equation and don't participate in the formation of the precipitate)
5. Write the net ionic equation:
2 Ag⁺(aq) + CrO₄²⁻(aq) → Ag₂CrO₄(s)
This is the net ionic equation for the reaction of silver nitrate and sodium chromate.