How to Write a Net Ionic Equation

Co-authored by Meredith Juncker, PhD

Last Updated: October 30, 2024 References

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Net ionic equations are an important aspect of chemistry as they represent only the entities that change in a chemical reaction. They are most commonly used in redox reactions, double replacement reactions, and acid-base neutralisations.^{[1]
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Research source} There are three basic steps to writing a net ionic equation: balancing the molecular equation, transforming to a complete ionic equation (how each species exists in solution), and then writing the net ionic equation.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Understanding the Components of an Ionic Equation

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1
Know the difference between molecular and ionic compounds. The first step in writing a net ionic equation is identifying the ionic compounds of the reaction. Ionic compounds are those that will ionize in an aqueous solution and have a charge.^{[2]
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Research source} Molecular compounds are compounds that never have a charge. They are made between two non-metals and are sometimes referred to as covalent compounds.^{[3]
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- Ionic compounds can be between metals and nonmetals, metals and polyatomic ions, or multiple polyatomic ions.
- If you are unsure of a compound, look up the elements of the compound on the periodic table.^{[4]
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- Net ionic equations apply to reactions involving strong electrolytes in water.^{[5]
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Identify the solubility of a compound. Not all ionic compounds are soluble in an aqueous solution and therefore, will not dissociate into individual ions. You must identify the solubility of each compound before proceeding with the rest of the equation. Below is a brief summary of the rules of solubility. Seek out a solubility chart for more details and exceptions to these rules.
- Follow these rules in the order stated below:
- All Na⁺, K⁺, and NH₄⁺ salts are soluble.
- All NO₃^-, C₂H₃O₂^-, ClO₃^-, and ClO₄^- salts are soluble.
- All Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg₂²⁺ salts are insoluble.
- All Cl^-, Br^-, and I^- salts are soluble.
- All CO₃^2-, O^2-, S^2-, OH^-, PO₄^3-, CrO₄^2-, Cr₂O₇^2-, and SO₃^2- salts are insoluble (with some exceptions).
- All SO₄^2- salts are soluble (with some exceptions).
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3
Determine the cation and anion in a compound. Cations are the positive ions in a compound and are generally the metals. Anions are the negative, non-metal ions in the compound. Some non-metals are capable of forming cations, but metals will always form cations.^{[6]
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- For example, in NaCl, Na is the positively charged cation because it is a metal while Cl is the negatively charged anion because it is a non-metal.
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Recognize polyatomic ions in the reaction. Polyatomic ions are charged molecules that are bound so tightly together that they do not dissociate during chemical reactions.^{[7]
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Research source} It is important to recognize polyatomic ions as they have a specific charge and do not break down into their individual components. Polyatomic ions can be both positively and negatively charged.
- If you are in a standard chemistry course, you will likely be expected to memorize some of the most common polyatomic ions.
- Some common polyatomic ions include CO₃^2-, NO₃^-, NO₂^-, SO₄^2-, SO₃^2-, ClO₄^-, and ClO₃^-.^{[8]
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- There are many more and can be found in tables in your chemistry book or online.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Writing a Net Ionic Equation

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1
Balance the complete molecular equation. Before writing a net ionic equation, you must first make sure your starting equation is completely balanced. To balance an equation, you add coefficients in front of compounds until there is an equal number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
- Write the number of atoms that comprise each compound on either side of the equation.
- Add a coefficient in front of elements that are not oxygen and hydrogen to balance each side.
- Balance the hydrogen atoms.
- Balance the oxygen atoms.
- Re-count the number of atoms on each side of the equation to make sure they are equal.
- For example, Cr + NiCl₂ --> CrCl₃ + Ni becomes 2Cr + 3NiCl₂ --> 2CrCl₃ + 3Ni.
2
Identify the states of matter of each compound in the equation. Oftentimes, you will be able to identify keywords in a problem that will tell you the state of matter for each compound. There are some rules to help you determine the state of an element or compound.
- If no state is provided for an element, use the state found on the periodic table.
- If a compound is said to be a solution, you can write it as aqueous, or (aq).
- If there is water in the equation, determine whether or not the ionic compound will dissolve using a solubility table. If it has high solubility, the compound will be aqueous (aq), if it has low solubility, it will be solid (s).
- If there is not water, the ionic compound is a solid (s).
- If the problem mentions an acid or a base, they will be aqueous (aq).
- For example, 2Cr + 3NiCl₂ --> 2CrCl₃ + 3Ni. Cr and Ni in their elemental forms are solids. NiCl₂ and CrCl₃ are soluble ionic compounds, therefore, they are aqueous. Rewritten, this equation becomes: 2Cr_(s) + 3NiCl_2(aq) --> 2CrCl_3(aq) + 3Ni_(s).
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Determine what species will dissociate (separate into cations and anions) in solution. When a species or compound dissociates, it separates into its positive (cation) and negative (anion) components. These will be the components that get balanced at the end for the net ionic equation.
- Solids, liquids, gases, molecular compounds, low solubility ionic compounds, polyatomic ions, and weak acids will not dissociate.
- The oxides and hydroxides with alkali or alkaline earth metals will dissociate completely.
- High solubility ionic compounds (use solubility table) and strong acids will ionize 100% (HCl_(aq), HBr_(aq), HI_(aq), H₂SO_4(aq), HClO_4(aq), and HNO_3(aq)).^{[9]
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- Keep in mind, although polyatomic ions do not dissociate further, if they are a component of an ionic compound they will dissociate from that compound.
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Calculate the charge of each dissociated ion. Remember that metals will be the positive cation, while non-metals will be the negative anion. Using the group number on the periodic table to determine which element will have which charge. You must also balance the charges of each ion within the compound.
- In our example, NiCl₂ dissociates into Ni²⁺ and Cl^- while CrCl₃ dissociates into Cr³⁺ and Cl^-.
- Ni has 2+ charge because Cl has a minus charge, but there are 2 atoms of it. Therefore, it must balance the 2 negative Cl ions. Cr has a 3+ charge because it must balance the 3 negative Cl ions.
- Remember that polyatomic ions have their own specific charge.
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Re-write the equation with the soluble ionic compounds broken down into their individual ions. Anything that will dissociate or ionize (strong acids) will simply separate into its two distinct ions. The state of matter will remain (aq), but you must ensure the equation remains balanced.
- Solids, liquids, gasses, weak acids, and low solubility ionic compounds will not change state or separate into ions. Simply leave them as they are.
- Molecular substances will simply disperse in solution, so their state will change to (aq). Three exceptions that do not become (aq) are: CH_4(g), C₃H_8(g), and C₈H_18(l).
- Continuing our example, the total ionic equation looks like this: 2Cr_(s) + 3Ni²⁺_(aq) + 6Cl^-_(aq) --> 2Cr³⁺_(aq) + 6Cl^-_(aq) + 3Ni_(s). When Cl is not in a compound, it is not diatomic; therefore, we multiplied the coefficient by the number of atoms in the compound to get 6 Cl ions on both sides of the equation.
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Remove the spectator ions by canceling out identical ions on each side of the equation. You can cancel only if they are 100% identical on both sides (charges, subscripts, etc.). Rewrite the action without any of the canceled species.
- Spectator ions do not participate in the reaction, but they are present.
- Finishing the example, there are 6Cl^- spectator ions on each side that can be canceled out. The final net ionic equation is 2Cr_(s) + 3Ni²⁺_(aq) --> 2Cr³⁺_(aq) + 3Ni_(s).
- To do a check to see if your answer works, the total charge on the reactant side should equal the total charge on the product side in the net ionic equation.

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Question

How to know the charge on the compound when an acid is dissociated in water such as H3PO4 in different steps?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

H3PO4 is a triprotic acid, meaning it can undergo three dissociations and as such will have three dissociation constants (Ka1, Ka2, Ka3). So the charge on H3PO4 will change as each hydrogen ion dissociates in solution.

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Net ionic equation for zinc sulfide and hydrochloric acid

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

This is a double-displacement reaction with ZnCl2 and H2S as products. ZnS(aq) + 2HCl(aq) --> ZnCl2(aq) + 2H2S(g) The net ionic equation is: 2H+ + S2- --> 2H2S

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Why can't weak acids dissociate?

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Weak acids do dissociate but minimally because of their very low solubility. Their solubility is usually written as >50%.

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