What is the net ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous solutions of Li₂CO₃ and CaCl₂?

• A. [Ca]²⁺ (aq) + [CO₃]^2– (aq) → CaCO₃ (s)
• B. 2[Li]⁺ (aq) + [CO₃]^2– (aq) → Li₂CO₃ (s)
• C. 2 [Li]⁺ (aq) + 2 [Cl]^– (aq) → 2 LiCl (aq)
• D. [Li]⁺ (aq) + [Cl]^– (aq) → LiCl (aq)
• E. Li₂CO₃ (aq) + CaCl₂ (aq) → 2 LiCl (aq) + CaCO₃ (s)

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical reaction. The reactants are Li2CO3 and CaCl2, both in aqueous solutions, and the products are LiCl and CaCO3.
2. Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction: Li2CO3 (aq) + CaCl2 (aq) → 2 LiCl (aq) + CaCO3 (s).
3. Break down the aqueous compounds into their respective ions to write the complete ionic equation. Li2CO3 dissociates into 2 Li⁺ (aq) and CO3²⁻ (aq), and CaCl2 dissociates into Ca²⁺ (aq) and 2 Cl⁻ (aq).
4. Identify the spectator ions, which are ions that do not participate in the formation of the precipitate. In this case, Li⁺ and Cl⁻ are spectator ions as they remain in solution as LiCl (aq).
5. Write the net ionic equation by removing the spectator ions from the complete ionic equation. The net ionic equation is: Ca²⁺ (aq) + CO3²⁻ (aq) → CaCO3 (s).