Question

What are the spectator ions in the equation below? (Choose all that apply)

Answer 1

A spectator ion is defined as ions that don't participate in the chemical reaction and just appear on both sides of the equation in the same form:

1. We have to write the equation in its ionic form:

`2\text{ Li }^+\text{ + 2OH}^-\text{ + Ba}^(2+)\text{ + 2Cl}^-\text{ }\rightarrow\text{ 2Li}^+\text{ + 2Cl}^-\text{ +Ba\lparen OH\rparen}_2`

Then, we enlist the repeated ions on both sides of the equation:

`\begin{gathered} 1.\text{ }Li^+\text{ } \\ 2.\text{ Cl}^- \end{gathered}`

So, the answer is that the spectator ions are Li+ and Cl-.