Question

Approximately 1 mL of two clear, colorless solutions-0.1 M Ba(NO3)2 and 0.1 M Na2SO4- were combined. Upon mixing, a thick, milky white precipitate formed. After centrifugation, the solution above the precipitate was found to be clear and colorless. Based on these observations, determine if a reaction occurred. If so, write the balanced chemical equation and net ionic equation for the reaction.

Answer 1

Answer: balanced chemical equation: $Ba(NO_3)_2(aq)+Na_2SO_4(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)+2NaNO_3(aq)$

Net ionic equation : $Ba^{2+}(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)$

Explanation:

A double displacement reaction is one in which exchange of ions take place. The salts which are soluble in water are designated by symbol (aq) and those which are insoluble in water and remain in solid form are represented by (s) after their chemical formulas.

The balanced chemical equation is:

$Ba(NO_3)_2(aq)+Na_2SO_4(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)+2NaNO_3(aq)$

Spectator ions are defined as the ions which does not get involved in a chemical equation or they are ions which are found on both the sides of the chemical reaction present in ionic form.

$Ba^{2+}(aq)+2NO_3^-(aq)+2Na^+(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)+2Na^+(aq)+2NO_3^-(aq)$

The ions which are present on both the sides of the equation are sodium and nitrate ions and hence are not involved in net ionic equation.

Hence, the net ionic equation is $Ba^{2+}(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)$