Net Ionic Equations

Net Ionic Equations reveal a change in the number of ions in solution when the reaction
takes place. It is important to note that no net reaction will take place if all the substances in the
ionic equation cancel. Net ionic equations are only involved with ionic compounds (metal + nonmetal), (metal + polyatomic negative ion) or (polyatomic positive and negative ions) that either
dissolve completely in water or form insoluble products.
Net ionic equations involve double displacement reactions that require knowledge of the
positive and negative ion in the respective ionic compounds. This is necessary for the newly
formed compounds to balance electrically and molecularly. This is needed to determine whether
the products formed are insoluble or soluble in water (check solubility rules provided in the text).
To solve net ionic equation problems, identify the type of reaction that occurs. The first
reaction to look for is the formation of a precipitate. Note, if aq is attached to the compound it
means it is soluble in water. If an s is attached, it means that it is insoluble in water and a
precipitate has formed which will not have any individual ions.
To determine the products of the reaction, Pb (NO3)2aq + KI, first determine the positive
and negative charges associated with each compound. The polyatomic list indicates NO3 = -1.
Therefore, Pb must have a +2 charge for the compound to have a net charge of 0.
K is in Group 1 and has a charge of +1, therefore I must = -1.
Next, initiate a double displacement reaction in which Pb replaces K and K replaces Pb.
The possible products are PbI2and KNO3. These compounds have a net charge of 0.
Pb = +2
2I = -2
K = +1
NO3 = -1
1.
A precipitate can be formed from a mixture of soluble reactants. To determine if a
precipitate
has formed check the set of solubility rules provided within the book. Here is an example:
Pb (NO3) 2aq + KI (aq)
Check the solubility table on page 147 in your book and from rule ??
Pb (NO3) 2aq + KI (aq)
PbI2(s) + KNO3 (aq)
Note that Pb Iodide is insoluble and can be formed.
Balance the equation:

Pb (NO3) 2aq + KI (aq)

PbI2(s) + 2KNO3

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Indian River State College, ASC
9/10 rev.11/18/12, rev. 7/8/14, rev. 9/11/14 mds/cs N, Disk 52-ZZ

Ionic equation:
Net Ionic equation:

Pb+2aq + 2(NO3)-7aq + 2K+7aq + 2Iaq

Pb+2aq + 2Iaq

PbI2(s) + 2K+aq + 2NO3aq

PbI2(s)

Spectator Ions are the ions that are eliminated in the ionic equation. They cancel each other out
to form the net ionic equations.
Spectator Ions are NO3 and K+
2.
An acid is a substance when added to water will produce H+ ions while a base is any
substance when
added to water will produce hydroxide ions (OH).
Strong acids dissociate 100% and some are HNO3(NITRIC), HCL(HDROCHORIC),
H2SO4 (SULFURIC). Hydrogen first means acid. Strong bases also dissociate 100% into OH
groups. Strong bases have group 1,2 ions ahead of the (OH) group as in NaOH, Ca(OH)2.
Any Nitrogen (N) containing compound is a base.
A strong base and a strong acid will have a net ionic equation as follows:
HCl(aq) + Na OH(aq)
H+ + Cl + Na+ + OH

Na Cl(aq) + H2O
Na+ + Cl + H2O

Spectator ions = Na+ , Cl

H+ + OH
3.

H2O

Reaction of a strong acid and a weak base that is soluble in water.

2HCl(aq) + Mg(OH)2S

Mg Cl2(aq) + 2H2O

2H+ + 2Cl + Mg(OH)2S

Mg++2Cl +2H2O

Spectator ions = Cl
2H+ + Mg(OH)2S

Mg++ +2H2O

This is the balanced equation.

4.
A gas is formed from a mixture of reactants, as within the carbonate family. It is to be
noted that K, Na,
Mg, and Ca are typical carbonates. Be familiar with them in their forms as follows:
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Indian River State College, ASC
9/10 rev.11/18/12, rev. 7/8/14, rev. 9/11/14 mds/cs N, Disk 52-ZZ

KHCO3, NaHCO3, Ca(HCO3)2, Mg(HCO3)2

Na2CO3, K2CO3, CaCO3, MgCO3

CO2 + H2O + 2Cl + 2Na+

2HCl(aq) + Na2 CO3

2H+ + 2CL- + 2Na+ + CO3-2

CO2 +H2O + 2Cl + 2Na+

Spectator ions = Na+, Cl

2H+ + (CO3) 2

H2CO3

CO2 + H2O

5.
Always reduce your answer to the simplest molecular equation for net ionic. For
example:
6H+ + 60H
H+ + OH

H2O

Wrong Net Ionic

H2O

Correct Net Ionic

Problems-Write balanced net ionic equations for the following unbalanced reactions.
Sometimes solubility of compounds must be determined using the solubility table in the book.
A.

(NH4)2CO3 (aq) + MgCl2 (aq) 2NH4Cl (aq)

B.

CuCl2 (aq) + 2 NaOH (aq) Cu(OH)2 + 2NaCl (aq)

C.

FeSO4 (aq) + Na3PO4 Fe3(PO4)2S + Na2(SO4)3

D.

FeSO4 (aq) + K3 (PO)4 Fe3 (PO4)2S + K2 SO4 aq

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Indian River State College, ASC
9/10 rev.11/18/12, rev. 7/8/14, rev. 9/11/14 mds/cs N, Disk 52-ZZ

Problems - Answer Key

A.

2NH4+(aq) + CO32(aq) + Mg+2(aq) + 2Cl 2NH4+ (aq) + 2Cl (aq)+ MgCO3(S)

Net Ionic:

B.

Cu+2(aq) + 2Cl (aq) + 2Na+ (aq) + 20H (aq) Cu(OH)2s + 2Na+ (aq) + 2Cl (aq)
Net:

C.
(aq)

Cu+2 (aq) + 20H (aq) Cu (OH)2S

3Fe2+ (aq) + 3SO4 2 (aq) + 6Na+ (aq) + 2PO4 3 (aq) Fe3(PO4)2S + 6Na+ (aq) + 3SO4 2

Net:

D.

Mg+2(aq) + CO3 2(aq) MgCO3(s)

3Fe+2(aq) + 2 PO4 -3(aq) Fe3(PO4)2S

3Fe+2(aq) + 3SO4 -2 (aq) +6K+(aq) + 2PO4 -3 aq Fe3(PO4)2S + 6K+ (aq) + 3 SO4 -2 (aq)
Net:

3Fe+2(aq) + 2 PO4 -3 (aq) Fe3(PO4)2S

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Indian River State College, ASC
9/10 rev.11/18/12, rev. 7/8/14, rev. 9/11/14 mds/cs N, Disk 52-ZZ