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Net Ionic Equations and Spectator Ions

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A net ionic equation removes spectator ions, those unchanged on both sides, leaving only the species that react.

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Canceling Na+ and NO3− from the complete ionic equation leaves the net ionic equation Ag+ + Cl− → AgCl(s).

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Canceling an ion that appears on both sides but in different amounts or states, or canceling the precipitate itself, is not valid spectator-ion cancellation.