[jonjon1324]

Wow my teacher really sucks at teaching chemical equations...and he wants us to write Total Ionic Equations and net ionic equations...and I have no idea what I'm doing.
First we're suppose to find this:
(NH4)2S(aq) + ZnCl2(aq) --> ________ + ZnS(s)
So in the line I put: (NH4)2Cl2(aq)

Is that right? And how can you tell if it's right? I'm so lost with this. And then he says write the total ionic equation and I HAVE NO IDEA how to do that...

Please HELP

[ARGOS++]

Dear Jonjon1324;

Your “Input” to the line is in principal correct, but a Chemist would write it as:

2NH₄Cl_(aq)    -  like twice a NH₄Cl_(aq)

This may also be a Hint/Startingpoint for the ionic equation, because in water:   

NH₄Cl  ---->  (NH₄)⁺  + Cl^-

If you are doing all analog and insert it in “your chemical equation” you should result in the (?total?) ionic equation.

I hope this may be of help to you.

Good Luck!
                   ARGOS⁺⁺

[jonjon1324]

So if NH4Cl  ---->  (NH4)+  + Cl-, then it would be 2NH4Cl --> (NH4)2+  +  2Cl-?

[ARGOS++]

Dear Jonjon1324;

Not exactly! More precise would be: 

2NH₄Cl_(aq)    ----> 2(NH₄)⁺  + 2Cl^-

Good Luck!
                   ARGOS⁺⁺

[jonjon1324]

Oh...so...would this be correct?

Total Ionic Equation: (NH4)- (aq) + 2S+ (aq) + 2ZN+ (aq) --> 2Cl- --> 2(NH4)+ (aq) + 2Cl- + Zn(s) + S(s)

Net Ionic Equation: (NH4)- (aq) + 2S+ (aq) + Zn2+ (aq) --> 2(NH4)+ (aq) + Zn(s) + S(s)

Spectator Ions: Cl-

Okay somehow that seems wrong.

[ARGOS++]

Dear Jonjon1324;

You scrambled a little bit the number of ions!
Take care that you not lose one, or you generate one.
The total ionic equation needs also to be balanced (If you count all + and – with their multiplier you must get zero!)

But for the start it looks not so bad.
In the ionic equation you can trop the (aq), and ZnS as a solid is not ionic anymore.

Good Luck!
                   ARGOS⁺⁺

[jonjon1324]

I don't understand 

Dear Jonjon1324;

You scrambled a little bit the number of ions!
Take care that you not lose one, or you generate one.
The total ionic equation needs also to be balanced (If you count all + and – with their multiplier you must get zero!)

But for the start it looks not so bad.
In the ionic equation you can trop the (aq), and ZnS as a solid is not ionic anymore.

Good Luck!
                   ARGOS⁺⁺

[Borek]

The total ionic equation needs also to be balanced (If you count all + and – with their multiplier you must get zero!)

Not exactly - there must be the same total charge on the left and on the right. It doesn't mean equation sides must be neutral.

Zn + Cu²⁺ = Zn²⁺ + Cu

[jonjon1324]

Ah..okay I still really don't get what I'm doing. Like what exactly are total/net ionic equations?  What am I supposed to finding? and Why? and HOW?

[ARGOS++]

Dear Jonjon1324;

(Thank you Mr. Borek for help.)

Your total ionic equation must be electrical neutral.

Let’s start this way:

(NH₄)₂S_(aq)   ------->  2(NH₄)⁺  + S^2-

(Here all positive charges are compensated by the negative ones, on both sides. Or with other words: The net charge is on both sides the same.)

Do you think you can complete now the total ionic equation?
May this be of help to you?

Good Luck!
                   ARGOS⁺⁺