Summary:
- A spectator ion is an ion that does not take part in the chemical reaction and is found in solution both before and after the reaction.
- The net ionic equation is the chemical equation that shows only those elements, compounds, and ions that are directly involved.
- The equation is balanced by both mass and charge.
- The name "spectator ion" means "something that doesn't play a role in the reaction" and can be eliminated from the equation by eliminating the spectator ions from the molecular and ionic equations.