Which equation is the net ionic equation for the reaction in water of BaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The net ionic equation shows the chemical species that actually participate in the reaction, so we need to eliminate the spectator ions that do not change during the reaction. The balanced molecular equation for the reaction is:

BaCl2 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq) → BaSO4 (s) + 2 NaCl (aq)

Breaking it down into ionic form, we get:

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

Eliminating the spectator ions Na+ and Cl-, we get the net ionic equation:

Ba2+ (aq) + SO42- (aq) → BaSO4 (s)

This matches option C. Option A is incorrect because it includes the spectator ions Na+ and Cl-. Option B is incorrect because it shows BaCl2 as a solid, which is not true in water. Option D is incorrect because it only shows the reaction between Na+ and Cl-, not Ba2+ and SO42-.

Which Equation Is the Net Ionic Equation for the Reaction