What is the Difference Between Balanced Equation and Net Ionic Equation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a balanced chemical equation and a net ionic equation lies in the information they convey about a chemical reaction.
A balanced chemical equation shows all the reactions that took place in a system, including all reactants and products. It indicates the overall reaction and provides information about the amounts of reactants needed to form the products. For example, the balanced equation between KI and PbNO3 in water would be:
$$2KI + PbNO3 \rightarrow K2NO3 + PbI2$$
A net ionic equation, on the other hand, focuses on the ions directly involved in the reaction, excluding spectator ions that do not participate in the actual reaction. It shows only the overall reaction that has taken place in the system. To obtain the net ionic equation, you need to write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction, including the state of each substance, and then eliminate the spectator ions using your knowledge of solubility rules, strong acids, and strong bases.
In summary:
- A balanced chemical equation provides an overall view of the reaction, including all reactants and products.
- A net ionic equation focuses on the ions directly involved in the reaction, excluding spectator ions.
Comparative Table: Balanced Equation vs Net Ionic Equation
Here is a table comparing balanced equations and net ionic equations:
Feature | Balanced Equation | Net Ionic Equation |
---|---|---|
Definition | A balanced equation shows all reactions that took place in a system, including the reactants and products. | A net ionic equation focuses on the ions directly involved in the reaction, excluding spectator ions. |
Includes | - Reactants and products of the system. | - Reacted species only. |
Excludes | - Spectator ions. | |
Purpose | Provides an overall view of the reaction. | Shows the chemical species that are directly involved in the reaction. |
In summary, a balanced equation gives a comprehensive view of the reaction, including all reactants and products, while a net ionic equation focuses on the ions directly participating in the reaction and excludes spectator ions.
- Complete Ionic vs Net Ionic Equation
- Molecular Equation vs Ionic Equation
- Balanced Equation vs Skeleton Equation
- Ionic Equilibrium vs Chemical Equilibrium
- Thermochemical Equation vs Chemical Equation
- Physical vs Chemical Equilibrium
- Difference Equation vs Differential Equation
- Ionic vs Covalent Compounds
- Chemical Kinetics vs Chemical Equilibrium
- Chemical Equilibrium vs Dynamic Equilibrium
- Ionic vs Binary Compounds
- Chemical Symbol vs Chemical Formula
- Ionic vs Electrostatic Interactions
- Ionic vs Molecular Compounds
- Ionic vs Covalent Bonds
- Ionization vs Electrolysis
- Hydrogen Bond vs Ionic Bond
- Ionic Bonding vs Metallic Bonding
- Composition vs Reaction Stoichiometry