Acids react with metals, bases and carbonates to form salts. The equations are very important to know and there is a pattern that you can learn to follow.
1.Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen
For example:
2HCl(aq) + Zn(s) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
It's ionic net equation is:
2H+(aq) + Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)
2.Acid + Base → Salt + Water
For example:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
It is a neutralization equation and the net ionic equation for any neutralization reaction is:
H+(aq) + OH–(aq) → H2O(l)
3.Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
For example:
2HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
It's ionic net equation is:
CaCO3(s) + 2H+(aq) → Ca+(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
In my exam I will probably get 3-4 reactions whose equations I will have to write, balance and then give ionic equations. I can easily gain marks in such questions as I just need to remember the products formed.
