[BaO]

i dont really understand deeply spectators. when do we apply them in a reaction?

is there any reaction like this: CuSO₄ + SnCl₂ -> CuCl + Sn(SO₄)₂ ?
if yes , dont we do any thing with SO₄^-2, and Cl^- which are spectators?

thanks alot!!

[Dan]

I'm not sure that would work, I think it would have a negative electrode potential (but I could be wrong).

To work out the spectator ions you need to include the state symbols.

eg

HCl_(aq) + NaOH_(aq) ----> HOH(l) + NaCl_(aq)

could be written as

H⁺_(aq) + Cl^-_(aq) + Na⁺_(aq) + OH^-_(aq) ----> HOH(l) + Na⁺_(aq) + Cl^-_(aq)

So, you can see that Na⁺_(aq) and Cl^-_(aq) do not change and are therefore spectator ions.

[Stewed_ant]

It's like this

you work out what state they are in, that is if it is insolubal in water (it is solid) and hence all the atoms in it won't be spectator , same for gas or liqueds.

But if it is soluble, that is , if it ionisises, and it's actually in water (that is it's aqueos) then put it in it's seperated form, and if the ion remains the same on both ends of the equation (hasn't been added or substituted) then you cancell out.

it is a "spectator ion"

[BaO]

 i got it!
thanks,