Net Ionic Equations
A net ionic equation shows only the
reacting species in a chemical
reaction, and does not include
spectator ions.
Solubility of Ionic Compounds in Water
Soluble Compounds
Exceptions
A net ionic equation shows only the reacting species in a
chemical reaction, and does not include spectator ions.
Almost all salts of Na+, K+,
and NH4+
All salts of Cl-, Br-, and I-
Ag+, Hg22+, and Pb2+
Compounds containing F-
Mg+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, and Pb2+
NO3-, ClO3-,
ClO4-, and CH3CO2-
Salts of
Salts of SO42Insoluble Compounds
Salts of
CO32-, PO43-,
C2O42-, CrO42-
S2most metal hydroxides and
oxides
Net Ionic Equations
First write a balanced complete equation, showing all
species present,
Cd(NO3)2(aq) + Na2S(aq)
!
CdS(s)
+
2NaNO3(aq)
Next, break each aqueous substance into its ions,
Sr2+, Ba2+, and Pb2+
Exceptions
NH4+, Ba2+ , and the alkali
metals
Cd2+(aq) + 2NO3-(aq) + 2Na+(aq) + S2-(aq) !
CdS(s) + 2Na+(aq) + 2NO3-(aq)
Cancel out the ions that appear on both sides of the
equation
Finally, write the Balanced Net Ionic Equation:
Cd2+(aq)
+
S 2-(aq)
!
CdS(s)
Net Ionic Equations
The rules for writing Net Ionic Equations:
Net Ionic Equations
NaOH(aq)
+
FeCl3(aq)
!
NaCl(aq)
+
Fe(OH)3(s)
Write a balanced complete equation.
• First write a balanced complete equation,
showing all species present,
• Next, break each aqueous substance into
its ions, cancel out the ions that appear on
both sides of the equation, and
• Finally write a balanced net ionic equation.
Assume that all reactions take place in
water and that all reacting substances are
ionic.
Net Ionic Equations
A net ionic equation shows only the reacting species
in a chemical reaction, and does not include
spectator ions.
3NaOH (aq)
+
FeCl3(aq)
!
3NaCl(aq)
• Finally write a balanced net ionic equation.
Assume that all reactions take place in
water and that all reacting substances are
ionic.
Fe(OH)3(s)
Next, break each aqueous substance into its ions,
3Na+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) + Fe3+(aq) + 3Cl-(aq) !
3Na+(aq) + 3Cl-(aq) + Fe(OH)3(s)
Cancel out the ions that appear on both sides of the
equation
Write the Balanced Net Ionic Equation:
3OH-(aq)
+
Fe3+(aq)
!
Fe(OH)3(s)
Net Ionic Equations
Now it’s time to Practice!
• First write a balanced complete equation,
showing all species present,
• Next, break each aqueous substance into
its ions, cancel out the ions that appear on
both sides of the equation, and
+
Net Ionic Equations-1