What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between copper(II) nitrate and sodium phosphate to form copper(II) phosphate and sodium nitrate?

• A. Cu(NO3)2(aq) + Na3PO4(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s) + NaNO3(aq)
• B. 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + Na3PO4(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 3NaNO3(aq)
• C. 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Na3PO4(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 6NaNO3(aq)
• D. 2Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 3Na3PO4(aq) → 2Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 3NaNO3(aq)

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction: Copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) and sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) are the reactants, while copper(II) phosphate (Cu3(PO4)2) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3) are the products.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: Cu(NO3)2(aq) + Na3PO4(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s) + NaNO3(aq).
3. Balance the copper atoms: Since there are 3 copper atoms in Cu3(PO4)2, place a coefficient of 3 in front of Cu(NO3)2, resulting in 3Cu(NO3)2.
4. Balance the phosphate ions: There are 2 phosphate ions in Cu3(PO4)2, so place a coefficient of 2 in front of Na3PO4, resulting in 2Na3PO4.
5. Balance the sodium and nitrate ions: With 2Na3PO4, there are 6 sodium ions, so place a coefficient of 6 in front of NaNO3 to balance both sodium and nitrate ions, resulting in 6NaNO3. The balanced equation is 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Na3PO4(aq) → Cu3(PO4)2(s) + 6NaNO3(aq).