A symbolic equation for a reaction carried out at 20 °C is shown below with state…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Chemical Reactions · Chemical Reactions
Problem
A symbolic equation for a reaction carried out at 20 °C is shown below with state symbols intentionally omitted:
Ba(OH)₂ + (NH₄)₂SO₄ → BaSO₄ + 2 NH₃ + 2 H₂O
To help you interpret the reaction, a qualitative particulate description of the system after the reaction has proceeded to completion is provided:
• A white lattice-like solid composed of alternating large gray spheres (Ba²⁺) and tetrahedral clusters of four small red spheres (SO₄²⁻) has settled to the bottom.
• Numerous small neutral molecules, depicted as one blue sphere bonded to three white spheres (NH₃), are escaping from the surface of the liquid.
• The bulk solution contains only water molecules; no other ions remain free.
Answer the following questions.
(a) Add appropriate state symbols (s, l, g, or aq) to each species in the symbolic equation above.
(b) Identify the two distinct reaction processes that occur simultaneously in this system and briefly describe the driving force for each.
(c) Write the balanced net ionic equation that represents the overall chemical change occurring in the beaker.
(d) Predict whether the pH of the remaining solution after the reaction is greater than, less than, or equal to 7 and justify your answer based on the species present.