Answer:
Pb²⁺ (aq) + 2NO₃⁻ (aq) + 2K⁺ (aq) + SO₄²⁻ (aq) → PbSO₄(s) + 2K⁺ + 2 NO₃⁻ (aq)
Explanation:
1) Start understanding the nature of the reactants, the kind of reaction that occurs, and the nature of the products:
i) word equation (given):
aqueous lead(II) nitrate + aqueous potassium sulfate → solid lead(II) sulfate + aqueous potassium nitrate
ii) molecular equation, including the phases:
Pb(NO₃)₂ (aq) + K₂SO₄ (aq) → PbSO₄(s) + 2KNO₃ (aq)
iii) It is a combination of two salts to form two new salts, in a double replacement reaction.
2) Separate the ionic compounds in solution into its ions
i) Reactant side:
Pb(NO₃)₂ (aq) = Pb²⁺ (aq) + 2NO₃⁻ (aq)
K₂SO₄ (aq) = 2K⁺ (aq) + SO₄²⁻ (aq)
ii) Product side
PbSO₄(s) remains unchanged since it did not ionize
2KNO₃(aq) = 2K⁺ + 2 NO₃⁻ (aq)
3) Write both sides, i.e. the whole reaction in the ionic form:
Pb²⁺ (aq) + 2NO₃⁻ (aq) + 2K⁺ (aq) + SO₄²⁻ (aq) → PbSO₄(s) + 2K⁺ + 2 NO₃⁻ (aq)
That is the total ionic equation.