Nope, these species aren\'t spectators. Spectators appear on both sides of an equation completely unchanged. Even though 2H+(aq) and H2(g) both contain two hydrogen atoms, those atoms have changed form during the reaction from some aqueous ions to a gas molecule, so they can\'t be spectators Solution Nope, these species aren\'t spectators. Spectators appear on both sides of an equation completely unchanged. Even though 2H+(aq) and H2(g) both contain two hydrogen atoms, those atoms have changed form during the reaction from some aqueous ions to a gas molecule, so they can\'t be spectators.