Net Ionic Equations
Aqueous solutions of Sodium Hydroxide and
Copper (II) Chloride combine to form an aqueous
solution of sodium chloride and solid blue Copper
Hydroxide
1. Write a skeleton equation
2. Balance the equation.
3. Identify the spectator ions.
4. Write the total ionic equation.
5. Write the net ionic equation.
Aqueous solutions of Sodium Hydroxide and Copper (II)
Chloride combine to form an aqueous solution of sodium
chloride and solid blue Copper Hydroxide
Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)
Cl -
Cu+
Na+
1
2
1
OH
-1
Cl 1
Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
The Copper and Hydroxide Join
to form solid Copper Hydroxide
Cl -
Na+
1
1
Cu+
2
OH
-1
OH
Precipitate
-1
Cl 1
Equation Not Balanced
Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
Balance the skeleton Equation
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
Balance the skeleton Equation
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
Balance the skeleton Equation
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
Balanced Molecular Formula
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
Na
O
H
Cu
Cl
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
Spectator Ions?
They don’t take part in the reaction.
Na+
1
Cl -
OH
Na+
2
Cl
OH
1
1
Cu+
-1
1
-1
Cl -
Na+
1
Na+
1
1
Cu+
2
-
Na+
Cl -
1
1
Na+
OH
2
Cl -
1
-1
Cu+
OH
1
-1
Na+
Cl -
1
Na+
1
1
OH
OH
-1
-1
Cu+
2
OH
-1
Cl
1
-
OH
-1
Cl 1
WRITING TOTAL AND NET IONIC EQUATIONS
1. Balanced molecular equation.
2. Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds
(strong electrolytes) indicating the correct
formula, number and charge of each.
3. Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g)
unchanged.
4. This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic
equation cross out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
2Na(OH)(aq) + CuCl2(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s)
2Na1+(aq) + 2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)
2(OH)1-(aq) + Cu2+(aq)  Cu(OH)2(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Balanced molecular equation.
Disassociate the aqueous ionic compounds (strong
electrolytes) indicating the correct formula, number and
charge of each.
Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
This is a total Ionic Equation. For a net ionic equation cross
out the spectator ions.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE
BaCl2(aq)
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4) 
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4)  2NaCl(aq)
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4)  2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4)(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)
BALANCED MOLECULAR FORMULA
1. Balanced molecular equation.
2. Show the disassociated ions individually.
3. Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
4. Cross out the spectator ions.
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4)(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)
BALANCED MOLECULAR FORMULA
Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + 2Na1+(aq) + SO42-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + BaSO4(s)
TOTAL IONIC EQUATION
1. Balanced molecular equation.
2. Show the disassociated ions individually.
3. Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
4. Cross out the spectator ions.
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4)(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)
BALANCED MOLECULAR FORMULA
Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + 2Na1+(aq) + SO42-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + BaSO4(s)
TOTAL IONIC EQUATION
Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + 2Na1+(aq) + SO42-(aq) 2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + BaSO4(s)
CROSS OUT SPECTATOR IONS
1. Balanced molecular equation.
2. Show the disassociated ions individually.
3. Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
4. Cross out the spectator ions.
BaCl2(aq) + Na2(SO4)(aq)  2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)
BALANCED MOLECULAR FORMULA
Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + 2Na1+(aq) + SO42-(aq)  2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + BaSO4(s)
TOTAL IONIC EQUATION
Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + 2Na1+(aq) + SO42-(aq) 2Na1+(aq) + 2Cl1-(aq) + BaSO4(s)
CROSS OUT SPECTATOR IONS
Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) BaSO4(s)
NET IONIC EQUATION
1. Balanced molecular equation.
2. Show the disassociated ions individually.
3. Bring down all compounds with (s), (l), or (g) unchanged.
4. Cross out the spectator ions.
• An aqueous solution of aluminum chloride
and sodium hydroxide react to form solid
aluminum hydroxide.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Write a skeleton equation
Balance the equation (molecular formula)
Write the total ionic equation.
Identify the spectator ions.
Write the net ionic equation.
Assignment