1. Write the balanced chemical equation:
NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → H₂O (l) + NaCl (aq)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
This involves separating all soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
Na⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) + H⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) → H₂O(l) + Na⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq)
3. Identify spectator ions:
Spectator ions are those that appear on both sides of the equation unchanged. In this case, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ are spectator ions.
4. Write the net ionic equation:
This equation only includes the species that directly participate in the reaction:
OH⁻(aq) + H⁺(aq) → H₂O(l)
Therefore, the net ionic equation for the reaction of NaOH and HCl is: OH⁻(aq) + H⁺(aq) → H₂O(l)