What is the balanced complete ionic equation for the reaction between HCl(aq) and K2CO3(aq) to form H2O(l), CO2(g), and KCl(aq)?

• A. H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) + K2CO3(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g) + 2K+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)
• B. 2HCl(aq) + K2CO3(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g) + 2KCl(aq)
• C. 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + 2K+(aq) + CO3^2-(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g) + 2K+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)
• D. H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) + K+(aq) + CO3^2-(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g) + KCl(aq)

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the molecular equation: Reactants are HCl(aq) and K2CO3(aq), and products are H2O(l), CO2(g), and KCl(aq).
2. Write the balanced molecular equation: 2HCl(aq) + K2CO3(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g) + 2KCl(aq).
3. Break down all aqueous compounds into their ions to form the complete ionic equation: 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + 2K+(aq) + CO3^2-(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g) + 2K+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq).
4. Identify and cancel out the spectator ions, which appear on both sides of the equation: In this case, 2K+(aq) and 2Cl-(aq) are spectator ions.
5. Write the net ionic equation by removing the spectator ions: 2H+(aq) + CO3^2-(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g).