Here's how to write the net ionic equation for the reaction of copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH):

1. Write the balanced molecular equation:

CuSO₄(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s) + Na₂SO₄(aq)

2. Identify the soluble ionic compounds and write them as ions:

* CuSO₄(aq) → Cu²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq)

* 2NaOH(aq) → 2Na⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq)

* Na₂SO₄(aq) → 2Na⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq)

3. Identify the insoluble compound (precipitate):

* Cu(OH)₂(s) remains as a solid.

4. Write the complete ionic equation:

Cu²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) + 2Na⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s) + 2Na⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq)

5. Cancel out the spectator ions (ions that appear on both sides of the equation):

The spectator ions are Na⁺ and SO₄²⁻.

6. Write the net ionic equation:

Cu²⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s)

This is the net ionic equation, representing the actual chemical change that occurs in the reaction.