Writing Net Ionic Equations
A net ionic equation is not the same as an ionic equation (half equation), so the term net ionic equation is
somewhat confusing. Net ionic equations are equations that show soluble ions and insoluble substances
reacting and omit the ions which are not involved in the reaction (spectator ions).
For example, consider the reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid:
① Write a balanced chemical equation.
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
② Write soluble ionic substances as separate ions. Write insoluble ionic and non-ionic substances using
their chemical formula.
CaCO3(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
③ Cancel out any soluble ions that appear on both the left and right of the equation (spectator ions).
CaCO3(s) + 2H+(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Net Ionic Equations Questions
1. Write a net ionic equation for the neutralisation of sodium hydroxide by hydrochloric acid.
2. Write a net ionic equation for the neutralisation of sodium hydroxide by hydrochloric acid.
3. Write a net ionic equation for the neutralisation of sodium hydroxide by hydrochloric acid.
4. Write a net ionic equation for the reaction between sodium carbonate and nitric acid.
5. Write a net ionic equation for the reaction between barium carbonate and sulfuric acid.
6. Write a net ionic equation for the reaction between lithium carbonate and hydrochloric acid.
7. Write a net ionic equation for the reaction between zinc metal and nitric acid.
8. Write a net ionic equation for the reaction between strontium metal and sulfuric acid.
9. Write a net ionic equation for the reaction between aluminium metal and hydrochloric acid.
10. Write a net ionic equation for the following reaction: NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)
11. Write a net ionic equation for the following reaction: BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4 (s) + 2NaCl(aq)
12. Write a net ionic equation for the following reaction: CuSO4(aq) + NaOH(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s) + Na2SO4(aq)
13. Write a net ionic equation for the following reaction NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)
14.