What do net ionic equations include?

Net ionic equations focus on the species that undergo a chemical change during a reaction, specifically highlighting the ions and compounds that participate directly in the reaction. By isolating these components, net ionic equations omit the spectator ions—those that do not change during the reaction and merely exist in the solution alongside the reactants and products. This simplification allows for a clearer understanding of the actual chemical processes occurring.

In contrast, options suggesting that net ionic equations include all soluble ions or all compounds and ions recognize components that might not influence the reaction's primary interactions. The reference to oxidation states is also not relevant to the purpose of a net ionic equation, which emphasizes the changes occurring during the reaction rather than the oxidation states of the included ions. Therefore, focusing on only those compounds that actively participate in the reaction accurately represents the essence of a net ionic equation.