ionic equations

[Jennifer Lathrop 1F]

For the ionic equations for acids/bases, do weak acids break up into ions? Or do they stay whole when you write the equation?

[klarratt2]

In order to write the net ionic equation, the weak acid must be written as a molecule since it does not ionize to a great extent in water. The strong base that the weak acid is reacting with is fully dissociated. A strong base will essentially "force" the weak acid to become ionized. The hydrogen ion from the acid combines with the hydroxide ion to form water, leaving the dissociated ion as the other product. Here's an example:

Original: HNO2(aq)+KOH(aq)→KNO2(aq)+H2O(l)
Dissociation: HNO2(aq)+K+(aq)+OH−(aq)→K+(aq)+NO−2(aq)+H2O(l)
Net Ionic Equation: HNO2(aq)+OH−(aq)→NO−2(aq)+H2O(l)