Why is the term spectator ions used

Since both of the reactants are soluble in water, before a reaction occurs, sodium, chloride, silver, and nitrate ions are in solution.

Sodium nitrate is also soluble in water so after the reaction has occured, sodium and nitrate ions are still floating in solution. It is the title of the paper by Sobel and Cohen but also the content and its possible implications that might be considered as slightly controversial, if the latter definition is adopted.

For instance, it might be possible that the chloride anions take part in a side reaction. If this were true, are the chloride anions really spectator ions? They can be considered as spectator ions regarding the main equation displacement of copper by aluminum , but not if the entire chemistry in the system were taken into account. Consider, for example, the possibility of formation of basic aluminum chloride.

This compound would, one could speculate, be more soluble than the protective Al 2 O 3 film on the metal surface :. Thus, chloride anions and bromide, as well might easily catalyze the dissolution of aluminum in acids, as well as the displacement of copper by aluminum, via formation of virtual , as it is soon dissolved Al OH 2 Cl.

However, in the processes of catalysis, they take an active role in the overall chemistry, although when writing the chemical equations, they seem not to take part in the reaction. While in the above reaction Al OH 2 Cl should be treated as virtual compound, in a similar reaction fast dissolution of magnesium powder in aqueous solution of sodium chloride the Mg OH Cl appears as a real, white voluminous precipitate 6.

View Author Information. Cite this: J. Natasha Australian. Veena Indian. Priya Indian. Neerja Indian. Zira US English. Oliver British. Wendy British. Fred US English. Tessa South African. How to say spectator ion in sign language? Numerology Chaldean Numerology The numerical value of spectator ion in Chaldean Numerology is: 5 Pythagorean Numerology The numerical value of spectator ion in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2.

Select another language:. Please enter your email address: Subscribe. Spectator ions do not "go" anywhere; they stay in the solution as ions. The total ionic equation shows all of the equation, even the spectator ions. The net ionic equation shows the net change after spectator ions have been removed.

If you mean spectator ions than no, as it is a weak acid. These ions are called "spectator" ions. In ionic equations the spectator ions are the ions that do not form a solute in the reactants side. They will have the symbol aq for aqueous or in water after it showing that is has not precipitated into a solid.

Spectator Ions. Log in. Study now. See Answer. Best Answer. Study guides. Chemistry 20 cards. How does a buffer work. What happens in a neutralization reaction. What is a conjugate acid-base pair. Why is water considered to be neutral. Physics 20 cards. Which term explains whether an object's velocity has increased or decreased over time.