Precipitation Reaction Chemistry Example 3

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Example 3

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Will a precipitate form when Na2SO4(aq)\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4\text{(aq)} is mixed with BaCl2(aq)\text{BaCl}_2\text{(aq)}? Write the equation if a reaction occurs. (Solubility rule: BaSO4\text{BaSO}_4 is insoluble.)

Solution

  1. 1
    Exchange ions: Ba2+\text{Ba}^{2+} + SO42โˆ’\text{SO}_4^{2-} โ†’ BaSO4\text{BaSO}_4 (insoluble, precipitates). Na+\text{Na}^+ + Clโˆ’\text{Cl}^- โ†’ NaCl\text{NaCl} (soluble).
  2. 2
    Balanced equation: Na2SO4(aq)+BaCl2(aq)โ†’BaSO4(s)โ†“+2NaCl(aq)\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4\text{(aq)} + \text{BaCl}_2\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{BaSO}_4\text{(s)}\downarrow + 2\text{NaCl(aq)}.

Answer

Na2SO4+BaCl2โ†’BaSO4โ†“+2NaCl\text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 + \text{BaCl}_2 \rightarrow \text{BaSO}_4\downarrow + 2\text{NaCl}
Barium sulfate is highly insoluble and forms a dense white precipitate. This reaction is used in qualitative analysis to test for the presence of sulfate ions.

About Precipitation Reaction

A type of double displacement reaction in which two aqueous ionic solutions are mixed and the exchange of ions produces at least one insoluble ionic.

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