1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
Na₂SO₄(aq) + CaCl₂(aq) → CaSO₄(s) + 2NaCl(aq)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
This involves breaking down all soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
2Na⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) + Ca²⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → CaSO₄(s) + 2Na⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq)
3. Identify and cancel out spectator ions:
Spectator ions are those that appear on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction. In this case, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ are spectator ions.
4. Write the net ionic equation:
This only includes the ions that directly react to form the precipitate:
Ca²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) → CaSO₄(s)
Therefore, the net ionic equation for the reaction between Na₂SO₄ and CaCl₂ is Ca²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) → CaSO₄(s).