Net ionic Equations: Equations that show only the soluble, strong electrolytes reacting (these are represented as ions) and omit the spectator ions, which go through the reaction unchanged. It lists only the species that are participating in the reaction.
Here are a few examples:
Solutions of Sodium Phosphate and Calcium Chloride
Molecular: 2 Na₃PO₄(aq) + 3 CaCl₂(aq) → 6 NaCl(aq) + Ca₃(PO₄)₂(s)
(write the equation then doing a sort of double displacement, write the second half, then balance)
Complete: 2 Na₃(+1)(aq) + 2 (PO₄)(-3)(aq) + 3 Ca(+2)(aq) + 3Cl₂(-1)(aq) → 6 Na(+1)(aq) + 6 Cl(-1)(aq) + Ca₃(PO₄)₂(s)
(Break apart the ions, but only do that for the aqueous compounds)
Net Ionic: 2 (PO4) + 3 Ca → Ca3(PO4)
(take off any spectator ion, ions that are both on the right and left side of the equation)
Spectator Ions: 2 Na3(aq) , 3 Cl2 (aq) , 6 Na(aq) , 6 Cl(aq)
Acid/Base or Precipitation: Precipitation
Acetic Acid is mixed with a Calcium Hydroxide solution
Molecular: 2 C2H4O2(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq) → Ca(C2H3O2)2(aq) + 2 H2O(l)
Complete: 2 C₂H₄O₂(0)(aq) + Ca(+2)(aq) + OH₂(-1)(aq) → Ca(+2)(aq) + (C₂H₃O₂)₂(0)(aq) + 2H₂(-1)(l) + 2O(-1)(l)
Net Ionic: (OH)₂(aq) → 2 H₂O(l)
Spectator Ions: Ca, C₂H₄O₂, and C₄H₆O₄
Acid/Base or Precipitation: Acid-Base
Aqueous Lithium Chromate reacts with aqueous Tin (IV) Chlorate
Molecular: 4 LiCr(aq) + 4 Sn(ClO₃)₂(aq) → 4Li(ClO₃)₂(aq) + 4 SnCr(s)
Complete: 4 Li(+1)(aq) + 4 Cr(-2)(aq) + 4 Sn(aq) + 4 (ClO3)2(-2)(aq) → 4 Li(+1)(aq) + 4 (ClO3)(2)(aq) + 4 Sn(-4)(s) + 4 Cr(-2)(s)
Net Ionic: 4 Cr(aq) + 4 Sn(aq) → 4 Sn(s) + 4 Cr(s)
Spectator Ions: 4 Li(aq), 4 (ClO3)2(aq)
Acid/Base or Precipitation: Precipitation
Here are a few examples:
Solutions of Sodium Phosphate and Calcium Chloride
Molecular: 2 Na₃PO₄(aq) + 3 CaCl₂(aq) → 6 NaCl(aq) + Ca₃(PO₄)₂(s)
(write the equation then doing a sort of double displacement, write the second half, then balance)
Complete: 2 Na₃(+1)(aq) + 2 (PO₄)(-3)(aq) + 3 Ca(+2)(aq) + 3Cl₂(-1)(aq) → 6 Na(+1)(aq) + 6 Cl(-1)(aq) + Ca₃(PO₄)₂(s)
(Break apart the ions, but only do that for the aqueous compounds)
Net Ionic: 2 (PO4) + 3 Ca → Ca3(PO4)
(take off any spectator ion, ions that are both on the right and left side of the equation)
Spectator Ions: 2 Na3(aq) , 3 Cl2 (aq) , 6 Na(aq) , 6 Cl(aq)
Acid/Base or Precipitation: Precipitation
Acetic Acid is mixed with a Calcium Hydroxide solution
Molecular: 2 C2H4O2(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq) → Ca(C2H3O2)2(aq) + 2 H2O(l)
Complete: 2 C₂H₄O₂(0)(aq) + Ca(+2)(aq) + OH₂(-1)(aq) → Ca(+2)(aq) + (C₂H₃O₂)₂(0)(aq) + 2H₂(-1)(l) + 2O(-1)(l)
Net Ionic: (OH)₂(aq) → 2 H₂O(l)
Spectator Ions: Ca, C₂H₄O₂, and C₄H₆O₄
Acid/Base or Precipitation: Acid-Base
Aqueous Lithium Chromate reacts with aqueous Tin (IV) Chlorate
Molecular: 4 LiCr(aq) + 4 Sn(ClO₃)₂(aq) → 4Li(ClO₃)₂(aq) + 4 SnCr(s)
Complete: 4 Li(+1)(aq) + 4 Cr(-2)(aq) + 4 Sn(aq) + 4 (ClO3)2(-2)(aq) → 4 Li(+1)(aq) + 4 (ClO3)(2)(aq) + 4 Sn(-4)(s) + 4 Cr(-2)(s)
Net Ionic: 4 Cr(aq) + 4 Sn(aq) → 4 Sn(s) + 4 Cr(s)
Spectator Ions: 4 Li(aq), 4 (ClO3)2(aq)
Acid/Base or Precipitation: Precipitation