To write a net ionic equation, follow these steps:
- Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction.
- Identify the species that are aqueous (dissolved in water).
- Write the complete ionic equation by breaking all the aqueous compounds into their individual ions.
- Identify and cross out spectator ions—ions that appear unchanged on both sides of the equation.
- Rewrite the equation including only the ions and compounds that directly participate in the reaction; this is the net ionic equation.
This equation shows only the ions or molecules involved in a chemical change, excluding spectator ions, and is balanced both by atoms and charge. Only aqueous compounds are broken into ions; solids, liquids, and gases remain as compounds in the equation.
