These are word's examples related to spectator-ion. Click on any word to go to its word's detail page. Or, go to the definition of spectator-ion.
Because such ions do not participate in the reaction, they are called spectator ions.
In this case, any spectator ions (those that do not contribute to the reaction) are left out of the formula completely.
A "net ionic" equation is the full ionic equation from which the spectator ions have been removed.
