Write the balanced (i) molecular equation, and (ii) net ionic equation which sho

Question

Write the balanced (i) molecular equation, and (ii) net ionic equation which show what happens when aqueous
solutions of barium nitrate and potassium sulfate are mixed together. Identify the spectator ion(s)
Is this correct?
i) Ba(No3)2(aq) + K2SO4(aq) --> BaSO4(s) + 2KNO3 (aq)
ii) Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) --> BaSO4(s)
Spectator Ions: 2NO3-(aq) and 2K+ (aq)

Explanation / Answer

And nothing, really. You are simply left with the other two ions in solution, K+ and NO3-, which do NOT form a compound. With aqueous solutions of Ba(NO3)2 and K2SO4 you have four ions in solution. Barium ions will combine with sulfate ions to make insoluble barium sulfate which comes out of solution as a solid (precipitates). The other two ions simply stay in solution. There is NO KNO3 formed despite what is written in a chemical equation. The (aq) state symbol tells us that it exists as a pair of ions. Ba(NO3)2(aq) + K2SO4(aq) --> BaSO4(s) + 2KNO3(aq) This is why "molecular" equations can be deceptive. It would be better to write: Ba2+ + 2NO3- + 2K+ + SO4^2- --> BaSO4(s) + 2K+ + 2NO3- Then it is obvious that the K+ and NO3- ions do absolutely nothing.

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