Why does magnesium nitrate not react with Magnesium sulfate?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Such a reaction would be a displacement reaction but realize that you have Magnesium twice?
Would Sodium Sulfate react with Magnesium Nitrate?

anonymous · Answer

Sorry, meant, would Sodium Sulfate react with Sodium Nitrate?

callisto · Answer

I think it's because they are both soluble salts and nitrate ions have no reaction with sulphate ions?! not sure though :(

anonymous · Answer

The second part is true^^ but then Magnesium would not react with Magnesium either.

callisto · Answer

since the cations are the same, just neglect it in this case :|

jfraser · Answer

common ions in either pair

btaylor · Answer

Since both are soluble as reactants and products, there would be no reaction, because the ions in solution wouldn't react.

anonymous · Answer

There would be no visible reaction because  Magnesium is present in both species which means that even if the displacement were to occur, you would end up with the same species you started with =]