Identify the reactants in the given problem: Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2). Both are in aqueous solutions.
Determine the possible products by exchanging the ions of the reactants. Potassium (K+) will pair with nitrate (NO3-) and zinc (Zn2+) will pair with carbonate (CO3^2-).
Write the potential products: Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and zinc carbonate (ZnCO3).
Check the solubility of the products in water. Potassium nitrate is soluble, while zinc carbonate is insoluble, indicating a precipitation reaction.
Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction: K2CO3(aq) + Zn(NO3)2(aq) → ZnCO3(s) + 2KNO3(aq). This shows the formation of the insoluble zinc carbonate as a precipitate.