Which is the correct net ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous ammonia with nitric acid? Which is the correct net ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous ammonia with nitric acid?

a. NH3(aq) + NO3?(aq) --> NH2-(aq) + HNO3(aq)

b. NH4+(aq) + H+(aq) --> NH52+(aq)

c. NH2-(aq) + H+(aq) --> NH3(aq)

d. NH4+(aq) + NO3?(aq) --> NH4NO3(aq)

e. NH3(aq) + H+(aq) --> NH4+(aq)

The correct answer is

e. NH3(aq) + H+(aq) --> NH4+(aq)

Explanation:

To solve this, we write out the indidual ionization reation for aqueous ammonia and nitric acid thus

For aqueous ammonia we have

NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ↔ NH₄⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq)

Aqueous ammonia is a weak base and therefore undergoes partial ionization hence the reversible reaction sign

As the level of ionization will not be more than 5% OH⁻ cannot represebt the weak base

For nitric acid we have

HNO₃(aq) → H⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq)

a strong acid like nitric acid undergoes conplete ionization in the solution

The total equation is NH₃(aq) + HNO₃(aq) → NH₄NO₃(aq)

The sum of the ionic equation is

NH₃(aq) + H⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) → NH₄⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq)

The ionic equation is

NH₃(aq) + H⁺(aq) →  NH₄⁺(aq)