⚗️ Ionic Equations Mastery
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 | Topic 3.1.3
Paper Type
Paper 4
📋 Exam Format:
Section A: Chemical Formulae (5 marks)
Section B: Ionic Equations (10 marks)
Section C: Spectator Ion Analysis (13 marks)
Total: 28 marks | Time: ~35 minutes
🎯 Key Examination Skills:
✓ State Symbols
(s) solid, (l) liquid, (aq) aqueous, (g) gas
✓ Spectator Ions
Ions that remain unchanged - remove from ionic equation
✓ Balancing
Charges must balance on both sides
✓ Precipitates
Insoluble products marked (s)
Section A: Writing Chemical Formulae
Q11 mark
Write the formula for Ammonium Carbonate.
Write your answer here...
Q21 mark
Write the formula for Iron(III) Oxide.
Write your answer here...
Q31 mark
Write the formula for Copper(II) Sulfate.
Write your answer here...
Q41 mark
Write the formula for Calcium Hydroxide.
Write your answer here...
Q51 mark
Write the formula for Aluminium Sulfate.
Write your answer here...
Section B: Writing Ionic Equations
Q62 marks
Write the ionic equation for the reaction between Silver Nitrate solution and Sodium Chloride solution.
Full equation:
AgNO₃(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO₃(aq)
Write your answer here...
Q72 marks
Write the ionic equation for the neutralization of Hydrochloric Acid with Sodium Hydroxide.
Full equation:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l)
Write your answer here...
Q82 marks
Write the ionic equation for the precipitation of Barium Sulfate when Barium Chloride reacts with Sodium Sulfate.
Full equation:
BaCl₂(aq) + Na₂SO₄(aq) → BaSO₄(s) + 2NaCl(aq)
Write your answer here...
Q92 marks
Write the ionic equation for the reaction between Copper(II) Sulfate solution and Sodium Hydroxide solution.
Full equation:
CuSO₄(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s) + Na₂SO₄(aq)
🔬 Observation: Blue precipitate forms
Write your answer here...
Q102 marks
Write the ionic equation for the reaction between Lead(II) Nitrate solution and Potassium Iodide solution.
Full equation:
Pb(NO₃)₂(aq) + 2KI(aq) → PbI₂(s) + 2KNO₃(aq)
🔬 Observation: Yellow precipitate forms
Write your answer here...
Section C: Spectator Ions & Analysis
Q112 marks
Identify the spectator ions in the reaction between Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH).
Full equation:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l)
Write your answer here...
Q122 marks
In the reaction: AgNO₃(aq) + KCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + KNO₃(aq)
Which ions are spectator ions?
Write your answer here...
Q132 marks
A student writes the following equation:
Full equation: CuSO₄(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s) + Na₂SO₄(aq)
Ionic equation: Cu²⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s)
Explain why Na⁺ and SO₄²⁻ are not included in the ionic equation.
Write your answer here...
Q143 marks
Write the full balanced equation and ionic equation for the reaction between Magnesium and dilute Sulfuric Acid.
Full equation: _____
Ionic equation: _____
Write your answer here...
Q153 marks
A reaction occurs between Calcium Carbonate and Nitric Acid:
CaCO₃(s) + 2HNO₃(aq) → Ca(NO₃)₂(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)
(a) Write the ionic equation for this reaction. [2]
(b) Identify the spectator ion(s). [1]
Write your answer here...
⚠️ EXAMINER TRAPS - Common Mistakes:
❌ Forgetting State Symbols
Every species MUST have (s), (l), (aq), or (g) - this loses marks!
❌ Including Spectator Ions
Ionic equations show ONLY the reacting species
❌ Splitting Insoluble Compounds
CaCO₃(s) stays as CaCO₃(s) - do NOT split into Ca²⁺ + CO₃²⁻
❌ Wrong Charges
Fe³⁺ is Iron(III), Fe²⁺ is Iron(II) - Roman numerals matter!
🎓 Ionic Equation Checklist:
✓Write full balanced equation first (if not given)
✓Split all soluble ionic compounds into ions with (aq)
✓Keep solids (s), liquids (l), and gases (g) as molecules
✓Remove spectator ions (same on both sides)
✓Check charges balance on both sides
✓Include state symbols for every species
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