Question

A tank of water is contaminated with mercury(II) ions. What reagent could be added to precipitate the mercury? Write a complete balanced equation to describe the reaction which would take place.

Answer 1

A reagent that could be used to precipitate mercury(II) ions from contaminated water is H2S.

The precipitation will be shown using a net ionic equation. To show the net ionic equation, we must first write the molecular equation as follows;

Hg^2+(aq) + H2S -----> HgS(s) + H^+(aq)

The total ionic equation is;

Hg^2+(aq) + 2H^+(aq) + S^-(aq) ------>HgS(s) + H^+(aq)

Eliminating the spectator ions, we arrive at the final net ionic equation;

Hg^2+(aq) + S^-(aq) ------>HgS(s)

So, H2S can be used as a reagent to remove Hg^2+ from contaminated water.

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