What is the net ionic equation for the reaction between nitric acid (HNO3) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)?

• A. 2H+ + Ca(OH)2 → Ca2+ + 2H2O
• B. Ca2+ + 2NO3- → Ca(NO3)2
• C. Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O
• D. H+ + OH- → H2O

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical equation: Nitric acid (HNO3) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) react to form calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) and water (H2O).
2. Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction: \( \text{Ca(OH)}_2 + 2\text{HNO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Ca(NO}_3)_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \).
3. Break down the molecular equation into its complete ionic form by dissociating all strong electrolytes into their respective ions: \( \text{Ca}^{2+} + 2\text{OH}^- + 2\text{H}^+ + 2\text{NO}_3^- \rightarrow \text{Ca}^{2+} + 2\text{NO}_3^- + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \).
4. Identify and cancel out the spectator ions, which are ions that appear on both sides of the equation without undergoing any change. In this case, \( \text{Ca}^{2+} \) and \( \text{NO}_3^- \) are spectator ions.
5. Write the net ionic equation by including only the ions and molecules that participate in the reaction: \( \text{H}^+ + \text{OH}^- \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} \).