Procedure for Writing Net Ionic Equations

Net ionic equations are used to represent chemical reactions that occur in aqueous
solutions, focusing only on the species that actually participate in the reaction. Here's
a step-by-step procedure to write them:
1. Write the Balanced Molecular Equation:
○ This is the standard balanced chemical equation showing all reactants and
products in their complete molecular or formula unit forms.
○ Include physical states (s, l, g, aq) for all substances. Remember that aqueous
solutions are indicated by "(aq)".
2. Determine Solubility and Dissociation:
○ Identify all soluble ionic compounds, strong acids, and strong bases. These
compounds will dissociate into their respective ions when dissolved in water.
○ Use solubility rules to determine which ionic compounds are soluble (and thus
dissociate) and which are insoluble (and remain as solids).
○ Common Solubility Rules to Remember:
■ Always Soluble: Nitrates (NO3−), Acetates (CH3COO−), Group 1 metals
(Li+,Na+,K+, etc.), Ammonium (NH4+).
■ Generally Soluble: Chlorides (Cl−), Bromides (Br−), Iodides (I−) (except
with Ag+,Pb2+,Hg22+). Sulfates (SO42−) (except with
Ca2+,Sr2+,Ba2+,Pb2+).
■ Generally Insoluble: Carbonates (CO32−), Phosphates (PO43−), Sulfides
(S2−), Hydroxides (OH−) (except with Group 1 metals, NH4+, and slightly
soluble with Ca2+,Sr2+,Ba2+).
○ Strong Acids: HCl,HBr,HI,HNO3,H2SO4,HClO4,HClO3.
○ Strong Bases: Group 1 hydroxides (LiOH,NaOH,KOH, etc.), Ca(OH)2,Sr(OH)2
,Ba(OH)2.
○ Weak acids, weak bases, insoluble ionic compounds, and covalent
compounds (unless they are strong acids/bases) do not dissociate and are
written in their molecular form.
3. Write the Complete Ionic Equation:
○ Rewrite the balanced molecular equation, showing all dissociated ions
separately.
○ For each soluble ionic compound, strong acid, or strong base, write its ions
with their charges and coefficients. For example, NaCl(aq) becomes
Na+(aq)+Cl−(aq), and 2NaCl(aq) becomes 2Na+(aq)+2Cl−(aq).
○ Insoluble solids, liquids, gases, weak acids, and weak bases remain in their
molecular form.
 4. Identify Spectator Ions:
○ Spectator ions are ions that appear on both sides of the complete ionic
equation in the exact same form (same charge, same physical state). They do
not participate in the actual chemical change.
5. Write the Net Ionic Equation:
○ Cancel out all spectator ions from the complete ionic equation.
○ Write the remaining ions and molecules to form the net ionic equation.
○ Ensure the equation is balanced in terms of both atoms and charge.
○ Reduce coefficients to the lowest whole number ratio if possible.

Detailed Solubility Rules

Understanding these rules is crucial for predicting whether a compound will dissolve
in water and dissociate into ions.

Compounds that are Generally Soluble (dissolve in water):

1. Group 1 Metals and Ammonium (NH4+): All compounds containing Group 1
metal cations (Li+,Na+,K+,Rb+,Cs+) or the ammonium ion (NH4+) are soluble.
○ Examples: NaCl, KNO3, (NH4)2SO4
2. Nitrates (NO3−), Acetates (CH3COO−), and Perchlorates (ClO4−): All nitrates,
acetates, and perchlorates are soluble.
○ Examples: AgNO3, Pb(CH3COO)2, KClO4
3. Chlorides (Cl−), Bromides (Br−), and Iodides (I−) (Halides): Most halides are
soluble.
○ Exceptions: Halides of Ag+, Pb2+, and Hg22+ are insoluble.
○ Examples: FeCl3 (soluble), AgCl (insoluble), PbBr2 (insoluble)
4. Sulfates (SO42−): Most sulfates are soluble.
○ Exceptions: Sulfates of Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Pb2+, and Hg22+ are insoluble.
○ Examples: CuSO4 (soluble), BaSO4 (insoluble), CaSO4 (sparingly soluble,
often treated as insoluble for net ionic equations)
Compounds that are Generally Insoluble (do not dissolve in water):
1. Carbonates (CO32−), Phosphates (PO43−), Chromates (CrO42−), and
Sulfites (SO32−): Most carbonates, phosphates, chromates, and sulfites are
insoluble.
○ Exceptions: Compounds containing Group 1 metal cations or the ammonium
ion (NH4+) are soluble.
○ Examples: CaCO3 (insoluble), Na3PO4 (soluble), (NH4)2CO3 (soluble)
2. Hydroxides (OH−) and Oxides (O2−): Most hydroxides and oxides are insoluble.
 ○Exceptions: Compounds containing Group 1 metal cations, NH4+, Ca2+, Sr2+,
and Ba2+ are soluble (hydroxides of Ca2+,Sr2+,Ba2+ are sparingly soluble but
often treated as soluble for net ionic equations).
○ Examples: Fe(OH)3 (insoluble), NaOH (soluble), Ba(OH)2 (soluble)
3. Sulfides (S2−): Most sulfides are insoluble.
○ Exceptions: Compounds containing Group 1 metal cations, Group 2 metal
cations, or the ammonium ion (NH4+) are soluble.
○ Examples: CuS (insoluble), Na2S (soluble), MgS (soluble)

Practice Questions: Solubility

Determine whether each of the following compounds is soluble or insoluble in water.
1. Ba(NO3)2
2. Fe(OH)2
3. K3PO4
4. AgCl
5. PbSO4

Solutions: Solubility
1. Ba(NO3)2
○ Rule Applied: Rule 2 (All nitrates are soluble).
○ Solubility: Soluble
2. Fe(OH)2
○ Rule Applied: Rule 2 under "Generally Insoluble" (Most hydroxides are
insoluble).
○ Solubility: Insoluble
3. K3PO4
○ Rule Applied: Rule 1 under "Generally Insoluble" (Most phosphates are
insoluble), but with the exception for Group 1 metals.
○ Solubility: Soluble (because it contains K+, a Group 1 metal)
4. AgCl
○ Rule Applied: Rule 3 under "Generally Soluble" (Most halides are soluble),
but with the exception for Ag+.
○ Solubility: Insoluble
5. PbSO4
○ Rule Applied: Rule 4 under "Generally Soluble" (Most sulfates are soluble),
but with the exception for Pb2+.
○ Solubility: Insoluble
Practice Examples (Net Ionic Equations)
Write the net ionic equation for each of the following reactions:
1. Silver Nitrate and Sodium Chloride
AgNO3(aq)+NaCl(aq)→AgCl(s)+NaNO3(aq)
2. Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide
HCl(aq)+NaOH(aq)→H2O(l)+NaCl(aq)
3. Potassium Iodide and Lead(II) Nitrate
2KI(aq)+Pb(NO3)2(aq)→PbI2(s)+2KNO3(aq)
4. Acetic Acid and Potassium Hydroxide
CH3COOH(aq)+KOH(aq)→CH3COOK(aq)+H2O(l)
5. Zinc Metal and Hydrochloric Acid
Zn(s)+2HCl(aq)→ZnCl2(aq)+H2(g)
6. Sodium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid
Na2CO3(aq)+2HCl(aq)→2NaCl(aq)+H2O(l)+CO2(g)
Solutions (Net Ionic Equations)
1. Silver Nitrate and Sodium Chloride
AgNO3(aq)+NaCl(aq)→AgCl(s)+NaNO3(aq)
● Complete Ionic Equation:
Ag+(aq)+NO3−(aq)+Na+(aq)+Cl−(aq)→AgCl(s)+Na+(aq)+NO3−(aq)
● Spectator Ions: Na+(aq), NO3−(aq)
● Net Ionic Equation:
Ag+(aq)+Cl−(aq)→AgCl(s)
2. Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide
HCl(aq)+NaOH(aq)→H2O(l)+NaCl(aq)
● Complete Ionic Equation:
H+(aq)+Cl−(aq)+Na+(aq)+OH−(aq)→H2O(l)+Na+(aq)+Cl−(aq)
● Spectator Ions: Na+(aq), Cl−(aq)
● Net Ionic Equation:
H+(aq)+OH−(aq)→H2O(l)
3. Potassium Iodide and Lead(II) Nitrate
2KI(aq)+Pb(NO3)2(aq)→PbI2(s)+2KNO3(aq)
● Complete Ionic Equation:
2K+(aq)+2I−(aq)+Pb2+(aq)+2NO3−(aq)→PbI2(s)+2K+(aq)+2NO3−(aq)
● Spectator Ions: K+(aq), NO3−(aq)
● Net Ionic Equation:
Pb2+(aq)+2I−(aq)→PbI2(s)
4. Acetic Acid and Potassium Hydroxide
CH3COOH(aq)+KOH(aq)→CH3COOK(aq)+H2O(l)
● Note: Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid, so it does not dissociate
significantly in solution and is written in its molecular form. Potassium hydroxide
(KOH) is a strong base.
● Complete Ionic Equation:
CH3COOH(aq)+K+(aq)+OH−(aq)→CH3COO−(aq)+K+(aq)+H2O(l)
● Spectator Ions: K+(aq)
● Net Ionic Equation:
CH3COOH(aq)+OH−(aq)→CH3COO−(aq)+H2O(l)
5. Zinc Metal and Hydrochloric Acid
Zn(s)+2HCl(aq)→ZnCl2(aq)+H2(g)
● Note: Zinc metal (Zn) is a solid element and does not dissociate. Hydrochloric
acid (HCl) is a strong acid. Hydrogen gas (H2) is a gas.
● Complete Ionic Equation:
Zn(s)+2H+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)→Zn2+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)+H2(g)
● Spectator Ions: Cl−(aq)
● Net Ionic Equation:
Zn(s)+2H+(aq)→Zn2+(aq)+H2(g)
6. Sodium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid
Na2CO3(aq)+2HCl(aq)→2NaCl(aq)+H2O(l)+CO2(g)
● Note: Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is soluble due to the presence of Group 1
metal (Na+). Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid. Water (H2O) is a liquid and
carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas; neither dissociates.
● Complete Ionic Equation:
2Na+(aq)+CO32−(aq)+2H+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)→2Na+(aq)+2Cl−(aq)+H2O(l)+CO2(g)
● Spectator Ions: Na+(aq), Cl−(aq)
● Net Ionic Equation:
CO32−(aq)+2H+(aq)→H2O(l)+CO2(g)