The net ionic equation for a precipitation reaction is Ba ^ 2+ (aq) + SO _4^ 2- (aq)…

CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Chemical Reactions · Chemical Reactions

Problem

The net ionic equation for a precipitation reaction is Ba2+(aq)+SO42−(aq)→BaSO4(s).\text{Ba}^{2+}(aq) + \text{SO}_4^{2-}(aq) \to \text{BaSO}_4(s). A particulate diagram shows the following: Reactants: one Ba2+\text{Ba}^{2+} ion and two SO42−\text{SO}_4^{2-} ions. Products: one unit of solid BaSO4\text{BaSO}_4. No other species are depicted. Which inconsistency is present in the diagram? (a) Spectator ions are shown in the diagram, so it cannot represent a net ionic equation. (b) Because BaSO4\text{BaSO}_4 is ionic, the diagram should depict it dissociating into ions rather than as a solid. (c) The total ionic charge differs between reactants and products, so charge is not conserved. (d) Two SO42−\text{SO}_4^{2-} ions are needed to balance the +2+2 charge on Ba2+\text{Ba}^{2+}, but only one is drawn.

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