4.3 CYL - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

Which solution could be used to precipitate barium ion Ba²⁺, in a water sample, Sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, or sodium sulfate. What is the formula for the expected precipitate?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Sodium Sulfate is used to precipitate a barium ion.

The formula for the expected precipitate is BaSO₄.

Depending on the solubility

Sodium sulfates can be used to precipitate barium ions because, when a barium ion is dissolved in a sodium sulfate, it forms a barium sulfate, which is insoluble in water while the other is soluble in water and cannot form a precipitate with a barium ion.

The equation for precipitation of barium ion

\(B{a^{2 + }}\left( {aq} \right) + N{a_2}S{O_4} \to 2N{a^ + } + BaS{O_4}\left( {ppt} \right).\)