Net Ionic Equation Chemistry Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

medium
Write the net ionic equation for the neutralization of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide: HCl(aq)+NaOH(aq)→NaCl(aq)+H2O(l)\text{HCl(aq)} + \text{NaOH(aq)} \rightarrow \text{NaCl(aq)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(l)}.

Solution

  1. 1
    Complete ionic: H++Cl−+Na++OH−→Na++Cl−+H2O\text{H}^+ + \text{Cl}^- + \text{Na}^+ + \text{OH}^- \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + \text{Cl}^- + \text{H}_2\text{O}.
  2. 2
    Remove spectator ions (Na+\text{Na}^+, Cl−\text{Cl}^-): H+(aq)+OH−(aq)→H2O(l)\text{H}^+\text{(aq)} + \text{OH}^-\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O(l)}.

Answer

H+(aq)+OH−(aq)→H2O(l)\text{H}^+\text{(aq)} + \text{OH}^-\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O(l)}
This is the net ionic equation for ALL strong acid–strong base neutralizations. Regardless of which strong acid and strong base are used, the essential reaction is always the combination of hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form water.

About Net Ionic Equation

A simplified chemical equation that shows only the ions and molecules directly involved in a chemical reaction, with all spectator ions (those unchanged on both.

Learn more about Net Ionic Equation →

More Net Ionic Equation Examples

Example 1 easy

Explain the difference between a molecular equation, a complete ionic equation, and a net ionic equa

Example 2 medium

Write the net ionic equation for the reaction between [formula] and [formula].

Example 4 hard

Write the net ionic equation for the reaction: [formula]. Identify all spectator ions.

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