IMAT 2022 Q44 [Barium sulfate]

Barium sulfate is insoluble in water.

Aqueous solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulfate are mixed.

Which of the following equations is the SIMPLEST ionic equation for the reaction that occurs?

A Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) →BaSOa(s)

B 2BaCl(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) →BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

C BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) →BaSOa(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

D 2Ba+(aq) + SO42-(aq) →Ba2SO4(s)

E Ba2+(aq) + 2C1-(aq) + 2Na+(aq) + SO42-(aq) →BaSO4(s) + 2Na+(aq) + 2C1-(aq)

I’m not so sure :slightly_frowning_face:

2 Likes

Reactions B, C, D are incorrect due to valences and notation:
B: We don’t have BaCl, but BaCl2.
C: We don’t have BaSOa, but BaSO4
D: We don’t have Ba2SO4, but BaSO4

Reaction E is correct and this is what is happening in reality, but since the question has asked for the simplest version of this reaction, we find it as option A as the correct answer.

2 Likes