Here's the balanced chemical equation:
3CuCl₂(aq) + 2(NH₄)₃PO₄(aq) → Cu₃(PO₄)₂(s) + 6NH₄Cl(aq)
Here's a breakdown of the reaction:
* Copper(II) chloride (CuCl₂) is a soluble ionic compound.
* Ammonium phosphate ((NH₄)₃PO₄) is also a soluble ionic compound.
* Copper(II) phosphate (Cu₃(PO₄)₂) is an insoluble ionic compound, meaning it will precipitate out of solution as a solid.
* Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is a soluble ionic compound and will remain in solution.
Key Observations:
* A blue-green precipitate (Cu₃(PO₄)₂) will form when the two solutions are mixed.
* This reaction is a precipitation reaction because an insoluble solid is formed.
Net Ionic Equation:
The net ionic equation only includes the ions that participate in the formation of the precipitate:
3Cu²⁺(aq) + 2PO₄³⁻(aq) → Cu₃(PO₄)₂(s)
This equation highlights the actual chemical change that occurs during the reaction.