Net ionic equation for Ba(OH)₂ and H₂SO₄:
a) Ba(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ → BaSO₄ + 2H₂O
b) Ba²⁺ + 2OH⁻ + H⁺ + SO₄²⁻ → BaSO₄ + H₂O
c) Ba⁺ + OH⁻ + H⁺ + SO₄²⁻ → BaSO₄ + H₂O
d) Ba²⁺ + 2OH⁻ + 2H⁺ + SO₄²⁻ → BaSO₄
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is d) Ba²⁺ + 2OH⁻ + 2H⁺ + SO₄²⁻ → BaSO₄ + 2H₂O.
Explanation:
When barium hydroxide ((\text{Ba(OH)}_2)) reacts with sulfuric acid ((\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4)), it undergoes a neutralization reaction, producing barium sulfate ((\text{BaSO}_4)) and water ((\text{H}_2\text{O})).
- Balanced Molecular Equation:
The balanced molecular equation is:
[
\text{Ba(OH)}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \to \text{BaSO}_4 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}
]
This shows that one mole of barium hydroxide reacts with one mole of sulfuric acid to form one mole of barium sulfate and two moles of water. - Ionic Form:
Barium hydroxide and sulfuric acid dissociate into ions in aqueous solution:
- (\text{Ba(OH)}_2 \to \text{Ba}^{2+} + 2\text{OH}^-)
- (\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \to 2\text{H}^+ + \text{SO}_4^{2-})
- Net Ionic Equation:
In the net ionic equation, we only include the species that participate directly in the reaction. Here, barium ions ((\text{Ba}^{2+})) react with sulfate ions ((\text{SO}_4^{2-})) to form barium sulfate ((\text{BaSO}_4)), a precipitate, while the hydroxide ions ((\text{OH}^-)) react with hydrogen ions ((\text{H}^+)) to form water:
[
\text{Ba}^{2+} + 2\text{OH}^- + 2\text{H}^+ + \text{SO}_4^{2-} \to \text{BaSO}_4(s) + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}(l)
]
Barium sulfate is an insoluble solid, so it precipitates out of the solution, while water remains in the liquid phase.
Why “d” is correct:
- Option “d” correctly represents the charges and stoichiometry of the ions involved. Barium ion ((\text{Ba}^{2+})) and sulfate ion ((\text{SO}_4^{2-})) combine to form the solid barium sulfate ((\text{BaSO}_4)).
- The hydroxide ions ((\text{OH}^-)) from barium hydroxide neutralize the hydrogen ions ((\text{H}^+)) from sulfuric acid to form water. This gives the proper stoichiometric balance of two water molecules.