What is the net ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous sodium chloride and aqueous silver nitrate?

• A. Na⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) → NaNO₃(aq)
• B. Ag⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) → AgNO₃(s)
• C. Ag⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) → AgCl(s)
• D. NaCl(aq) + AgNO₃(aq) → NaNO₃(aq) + AgCl(s)

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical equation: NaCl(aq) + AgNO₃(aq) → NaNO₃(aq) + AgCl(s).
2. Write the complete ionic equation by dissociating all aqueous compounds into their respective ions: Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) + Ag⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) → Na⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) + AgCl(s).
3. Identify the spectator ions, which are ions that appear on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction. In this case, Na⁺(aq) and NO₃⁻(aq) are spectator ions.
4. Remove the spectator ions from the complete ionic equation to focus on the ions that form the precipitate: Ag⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) → AgCl(s).
5. Write the net ionic equation, which includes only the ions that participate in forming the precipitate: Ag⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) → AgCl(s).