Ionic Equations and Spectator ons

Notice that K (aq) and N03 (aq) appear on both sides of Equation 4.7. Ions that appear in identical forms on both sides of a complete ionic equation, called spectator ions, play no direct role in the reaction. When spectator ions are omitted from the equation (they cancel out hke algebraic quantities), we are left with the net ionic equation, which is one that includes only the ions and molecules directly involved in the reaction  

Because charge is conserved in reactions, the sum of the ionic charges must be the same on both sides of a balanced net ionic equation. In this case the 2+ charge of the cation and the two 1 — charges of the anions add to zero, the charge of the electrically neutral product. If every ion in a complete ionic equation is a spectator, no reaction occurs. 

Which ions, if any, are spectator ions in this reaction  

Net ionic equations illustrate the similarities between various reactions involving electrolytes. For example. Equation 4.8 expresses the essential feature of the 

a net ionic equation demonstrates that more than one set of reactants can lead to the same net reaction. For example, aqueous solutions of KI and Mgl2 share many chemical similarities because both contain T ions. Either solution when mixed with a Pb(N03)2 solution produces Pbl2(s). The complete ionic equation, on the other hand, identifies the actual reactants that participate in a reaction. 

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