A net chemical equation is an equation that depicts only the molecules that are actively involved in a reaction, meaning those that undergo ...
A net chemical equation is an equation that depicts only the molecules that are actively involved in a reaction, meaning those that undergo a change.
Writing the net chemical equation from a sequence of reactions involves adding the reactants and products of each equation of the sequence. Compounds that are produced by one of the reactions and consumed by another reaction are called intermediates. As a general rule, intermediates are not depicted on the net chemical equation.
The net chemical equation should not be confused with a net ionic equation.
Example,
Notice that the CO is produced in the 1st reaction and consumed by the 2nd reaction, meaning that CO is an intermediate, therefore, it should not be depicted on the net chemical equation. The 1st equation has 2CO and the 2nd equation has 1CO. In order to cancel the CO (intermediate) the 2nd equation needs to be multiplied by 2. Now, the CO can be canceled. The resulting equation is the net chemical equation.
