1. Write the unbalanced molecular equation:
Na₂CO₃(aq) + Cu(NO₃)₂(aq) → CuCO₃(s) + 2NaNO₃(aq)
2. Identify the soluble and insoluble compounds:
* Soluble: Na₂CO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂, and NaNO₃ (most nitrates and sodium salts are soluble)
* Insoluble: CuCO₃ (most carbonates are insoluble)
3. Break down the soluble compounds into their ions:
2Na⁺(aq) + CO₃²⁻(aq) + Cu²⁺(aq) + 2NO₃⁻(aq) → CuCO₃(s) + 2Na⁺(aq) + 2NO₃⁻(aq)
4. Cancel out spectator ions (ions that appear on both sides of the equation):
2Na⁺(aq) + CO₃²⁻(aq) + Cu²⁺(aq) + 2NO₃⁻(aq) → CuCO₃(s) + 2Na⁺(aq) + 2NO₃⁻(aq)
The Balanced Complete Ionic Equation:
CO₃²⁻(aq) + Cu²⁺(aq) → CuCO₃(s)