Net Ionic Equations

The Story:
Net Ionic equations are an abbreviated form of replacement equations (DR and SR). In DR
reactions, these equations describe reactions in which aqueous solutions of two ionic
compounds are mixed. We have discussed the two possible outcomes of such a mixing:
1. An insoluble product is produced (called a “precipitate”)
2. No product is produced (both new combinations of ions-formed when the metal
ions switch places-are soluble). This is designated an “N.R.” (No Reaction)

Imagine this reaction, which most of you should have observed (and carried out):

(1) molecular equation MgCl2(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + Mg(OH)2(s) not balanced.

The white precipitate produced is solid (s) Mg(OH)2. What was the other ionic compound that
was produced in the mixing? Yes, it was NaCl, which is aqueous (aq), or, soluble in water.
So, we don’t see it (recall the process of dissociation for an ionic compound: Na + ions and
Cl– ions are surrounded by water molecules in solution).

The complete ionic equation for the mixing of these 2 aqueous solutions looks like this:

(2) Mg+2(aq) + Cl–(aq) + Na+(aq) + OH–(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s) + Na+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

But, we will remove the Na+ and Cl– ions, because they are aqueous on both sides of the
reaction. They look the same, so they just spectated. Or something. We call them spectator
ions. Anyway, cross them out and rewrite the reaction equation showing only the species that
took part:

Mg+2(aq) + OH–(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s)

This is the net ionic equation. The reaction still has to be balanced, but it is easier to
balance the net equation than the whole thing. (To balance, we put a coefficient of 2 in front
of the OH–):
(3) Mg+(aq) + 2OH–(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s)

So, if an ion is marked (aq) on both sides of the equation, it’s toast. But, how do you
determine whether or not a compound will be soluble (in water) or not? Solubility Rules, of
course! Use these rules to determine which of the following compounds would form a soluble
salt (ionic compound) in aqueous solution:

(a) Na2SO4 (rule ___) (b) AgBr (rule ___) (c) Ca3(PO4)2 (rule___)

The answer would be (a). Not (b) because of rule # 3 and not (c) isn’t because of rule # 5.
Fun, isn’t it? Now do these:

1. LiBr 4. AgC2H3O2 7. Pb(C2H3O2)2

2. Sr(NO3)2 5. AlCl3 8. K2CO3
3. NH4I 6. Fe2(CO3)3 9. MgS

Net ionic equations for SR reactions – same idea but in SR reactions there will be only 1
spectator ion.
(1) Molecular equation Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → Cu(s) + ZnSO4(aq)
(3) Net ionic equation Zn(s) + Cu+2(aq) → Cu(s) + Zn+2(aq) SO4−2 is spectator
Identifying Spectator Ions: Use the Solubility Rules to determine which of the following ions will
be spectators (cross them out); then, predict which ions will react to form a precipitate (write the
chemical formula for the precipitate on the product side of the equation).

1. Ag+(aq) + NO3–(aq) + Mg+2(aq) + F–(aq) →

2. Fe+3(aq) + Cl–(aq) + Li+(aq) + CO3–2(aq) →

3. Na+(aq) + SO3–2(aq) + Mn+2(aq) + NO3–(aq) →

4. K+(aq) + S–2(aq) + Cu+2(aq) + Cl–(aq) →

5. Ba+2(aq) + ClO3–(aq) + K+(aq) + SO4–2(aq) →

6. Pb+2(aq) + NO3–(aq) + Ca+2(aq) + Cl–(aq) →

7. Sr+2(aq) + F–(aq) + Ag+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq) →

8. Ba+2(aq) + Li+(aq) + CO3–2(aq) + Cl–(aq) →

9. I–(aq) + OH–(aq) + Co+2(aq) + K+(aq) →

10. SO4–2(aq) + Hg+(aq) + Na+(aq) + NO3–(aq) →

What do you get if you mix solutions of...: Write the net ionic equations for the following
reactions.

1. AgNO3 and KI

2. K2CO3 and CuSO4

3. SrF2 and Hg(NO3)2

4. MnCl2 and K2S

5. MgSO4 and LiOH

Write net ionic equations for these SR reactions.

6. Cu and AgNO3 (Cu is +2)

7. Fe and NiSO4 (Fe is +3)

8. Ag and CuCl2