Question

Spectator ions

		form a precipitate.
		are always soluble.
		are not present in a precipitation reaction.
		are not present if no precipitate forms.

Answer 1

are not present in a precipitation reaction.

A ions present on both sides of the reaction are called spectator ions

Example

Zn (s) + CuSO4(aq) -------------> ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

Zn (s) + Cu^2+ (aq) +SO4^2-(aq) -------------> Zn^2+(aq) +SO4^2-(aq) + Cu(s)

SO4 ^2- are present on both side of the reaction . So they are not participate in the reaction . They are called spectato ions.

Zn (s) + Cu^2+ (aq) -------------> Zn^2+(aq) + Cu(s) net ionic equation