alleryStart learning →What is a spectator ion?
AAn ion that forms the solid product of a reaction
BAn ion that gains electrons during a reaction
CAn ion that loses electrons during a reaction
DAn ion that is unchanged but keeps charge balance
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. An ion that is unchanged but keeps charge balance
1. A spectator ion passes through a reaction without any chemical or physical change.
2. It is still needed in the mixture so that the solution stays electrically neutral.
3. Because it is unchanged, it can be cancelled from both sides of the ionic equation.
4. Ions that form a solid, or that gain or lose electrons, are taking part and so are not spectators.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 "Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions", section 4.1 Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations_
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