Question

Imagine that the unknown solution contains aqueous ammonium sulfate, which is commonly used in fertilizer. Write a balanced equation for the precipitation of barium sulfate after mixing aqueous ammonium sulfate and barium chloride.

Answer 1

A balanced equation for the precipitation of barium sulfate after mixing aqueous ammonium sulfate and barium chloride is as follows:

(NH₄)₂SO₄ (aq) + BaCl₂ (aq) ------> BaSO₄(s) + 2NH₄Cl (aq)  

As suggested by the equation, 1 molecule of ammonium sulfate reacts with 1 molecule of barium chloride and forms 1 molecule of barium sulfate and 1 molecule of ammonium chloride.

Answer 2

Answer: $(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)+BaCl_2(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)+2NH_4Cl(aq)$

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.

According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. Thus the mass of products has to be equal to the mass of reactants. The number of atoms of each element has to be same on reactant and product side. Thus chemical equations are balanced.

A balanced equation for the precipitation of barium sulfate after mixing aqueous ammonium sulfate and barium chloride is as follows:

$(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)+BaCl_2(aq)\rightarrow BaSO_4(s)+2NH_4Cl(aq)$