Ionic Equation
Ionic Equation
Ionic Equation
STEP 2: Rewrite by separating the soluble ionic compounds into their dissociated
ions
H+(aq) + Cl–(aq) + Na(aq) + OH–(aq) ⟶ Na+(aq) + Cl–(aq) + H2O(l)
Note that water is not separated because it is not an ionic compound. As a simple molecule, the
atoms do not separate and remain bonded as a discrete molecule of H2O.
STEP 3: Cancel out common ions, which are the spectator ions
H+(aq) + Cl–(aq) + Na+(aq) + OH–(aq) ⟶ Na+(aq) + Cl–(aq) + H2O(l)
Sodium and chloride ions remain dissolved in the solution. They are the spectator ions, that
watch and do not undergo the chemical reaction themselves.