dissolution of Fe(NO3)3 (which is an amber crystal) in water forms a yellow to orange solution depending on the concentration.
there is no reaction because the possible reactions are .. Fe(NO3)3 + HCl --> Fe(Cl3)(s) + HNO3 .. Fe(NO3)3 + HCl ---> REDOX rxn forming Fe(s) .. Fe(NO3)3 + HCl --> coordinated complex none of these reactions occur because .. (1) FeCl3 is soluble in water .. (2) neither Cl- nor N(5+) can be oxidized by Fe(3+) .. (3) this rxn doesn't form a stable complex
******* when you have this reaction .. AB(aq) + CD(aq) --> AD(aq) + CB(aq)
because it's essentially a mixture of A, B, C, and D ions with no new compounds being formed, the best answer to the question.. "is there a reaction".. which was your question.. is "NO REACTION"
******* personally, I'd probably accept .. Fe(NO3)3(aq) + 3 HCl(aq) --> no reaction..... every time! and maybe this.. .. Fe(NO3)3(aq) + 3 HCl(aq) --> FeCl3(aq) + 3 HNO3(aq) if the student wrote "no reaction" afterwards.
I would not accept .. Fe(NO3)3 + HCl --> FeCl3 + HNO3 because that implies the FeCl3 and HNO3 are products of the reaction. They are NOT.
however... because the problem specifically stated.. .. "is there a reaction"... when ferric nitrate is added to HCl the answer is NO.
