An ionic equation is a chemical equation that shows the ions involved in a chemical reaction. It highlights the species that actually participate in the reaction, omitting the spectator ions that do not change during the process. This type of equation is particularly useful in understanding reactions in solutions, such as those involving acids, bases, and salts. In an ionic equation, compounds that dissociate into ions in solution are represented as their constituent ions. For example, when sodium chloride dissolves in water, it separates into sodium ions and chloride ions. By focusing on these ions, chemists can better analyze the underlying processes of the reaction.