Question

When writing net ionic equations, do you break down a weak acids into ions if the problem says it's aqueous? Or do you not break it down into ions because it is a weak acid, even though the problem says it is aqueous? Please explain

Answer 1

"When writing net ionic equations, do you break down a weak acids into ions if the problem says it's aqueous?"

Yes, you would write them as ions IFF they ionize in water.

e.g. \(NaCl_{(aq)}\rightarrow Na^+_{(aq)}+Cl^-_{(aq)}\)

but not if they are insoluble OR not ionized in water, like glucose

\(C_6H_{12}O_{6~(aq)}\rightarrow does~not~ionize\)

Weak acids/bases would be ionized somewhat, so if they are reacting (because in the net ionic equation you only write what's reacting) write them as ions.