How do you write the chemical equation for neutralization of nitric acid, HNO3, with magnesium hydroxide, Mg (OH)2, first with spectator ions and then without spectator ions?

Answer 1

The molecular equation is
2HNO3 + Mg(OH)2 ==> Mg(NO3)2 + 2H2O. If these are in solution (the problem doesn't say that but the implication is that they are, then

2HNO3(aq) + Mg(OH)2(aq) ==> Mg(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Net ionic equation is
2H^+ + 2OH^- ==> 2H2O and if you really want to do it up brown you write
2H^+(aq) + 2OH^-(aq) ==> 2H2O(l)