Spectator Ions Calculator

Identify spectator ions in chemical reactions and write net ionic equations. Essential for understanding precipitation, acid-base, and redox reactions!

⚗️ Ionic Reactions • 🧪 Solution Chemistry • 📊 Equation Analysis

Chemical Reaction

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Enter chemical formulas (e.g., AgNO3, NaCl)

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Reaction Conditions

Ion Visualization

Participating Ions Spectator Ions Product Ions

Molecular Equation:

Enter reactants to see equation

Solubility Rules:

All nitrates (NO₃⁻) are soluble
Most chlorides (Cl⁻) are soluble
Most carbonates (CO₃²⁻) are insoluble
Most sulfides (S²⁻) are insoluble

Common Ions

Cations:
Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺
Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺
Anions:
Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₃⁻
SO₄²⁻, CO₃²⁻, PO₄³⁻, OH⁻

Spectator Ions Guide

What are Spectator Ions?

Spectator ions are ions that are present in solution but do not participate in the actual chemical reaction. They appear unchanged on both sides of the complete ionic equation.

Net ionic equation: \text{Complete Ionic} - \text{Spectator Ions} = \text{Net Ionic}

Types of Ionic Reactions

  • Precipitation: Formation of an insoluble solid from soluble reactants
  • Acid-Base: Transfer of protons (H⁺) between acids and bases
  • Double Replacement: Exchange of ions between two ionic compounds
  • Redox: Transfer of electrons between species (oxidation-reduction)

Solubility Rules (Key Points)

  • Always Soluble: Group 1 metals (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, ClO₄⁻
  • Usually Soluble: Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻ (except with Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg₂²⁺)
  • Usually Insoluble: CO₃²⁻, PO₄³⁻, S²⁻, OH⁻ (except with Group 1 and some Group 2)
  • Special Cases: SO₄²⁻ (insoluble with Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺)

Writing Net Ionic Equations

  1. Write the balanced molecular equation
  2. Write the complete ionic equation (dissociate all strong electrolytes)
  3. Identify and cancel spectator ions
  4. Write the net ionic equation with remaining species
  5. Check that charges and atoms are balanced