Question

Hello,

Is there a reaction when NaNO3 is added to some H2O? Or does it just dissolves?

Please explain why, thanks!

Answer 1

The reaction is the sodum nitrate breaks up in to ions, energy is exchanged.

Answer 2

The solid NaNO3 is held together by the crystal lattice energy. The Na-NO3 is an ionic bond. When the polar water molecules of water move to the crystal, the positive end of the H2O molecules is attracted to the NO3^- part of the NaNO3 and the negative end of the H2O molecule is attracted to the Na^+. The Na^+ becomes hydrated as Na^+(aq) and the NO3^- becomes hydrated as NO3^-(aq). You might write the equation as
NaNO3(s) + H2O(l) ==> Na^+(aq) + NO3^-(aq)
There are many articles and some movies on the internet that talk about this process. You can google to read more about it.

Answer 3

Hi DrBob222,
Can I express it in this form?
NaNO3(s) + H2O(l) ==> NaNO3(aq)

Answer 4

Yes, and that might be called an intermediate step, with the final step showing the hydratred ions.

Answer 5

How about if I put the "H2O" above the arrow, and wrote NaNO3(aq) as my answer, would that be correct?

Answer 6

Yes.

Answer 7

Thanks!