Question

Write a net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs when barium sulfite (s) and excess hydrochloric acid (aq) are combined. Note: Sulfites follow the same solubility trends as sulfates.

Answer 1

Answer:

• BaSO₃ (s)  → Ba²⁺ (aq) + SO₃²⁻ (aq)

Explanation:

1) Solubility rules:

a) Barium sulfate, and hence barium sulfite, is an exception to the rule that most sulfate salts are soluble.

Barium sulfate, and hence, barium sulfite are insoluble salts.

b) Chloirde salts are generally soluble, and chloride barium is not an exception.

2) Word equation:

barium sulfite (s) + hydrochloric acid (aq) → barium chloride (aq) + sulfurous acid (aq)

3) Molecular equation:

• BaSO₃ (s) + 2HCl (aq) → BaCl₂ (aq) + H₂SO₃ (aq)

4) Show the ionization of aquous compouds:

• 2HCl (aq) → 2H⁺ (aq) + 2Cl⁻ (aq)

• BaCl₂ (aq) → Ba²⁺ (aq) + 2Cl⁻ (aq)

• H₂SO₃ (aq) → 2H⁺ (aq) + SO₃²⁻ (aq)

5) Total ionic equation:

• BaSO₃ (s) +  2H⁺ (aq) + 2Cl⁻ (aq)  → Ba²⁺ (aq) + 2Cl⁻ (aq) + 2H⁺ (aq) + SO₃²⁻ (aq)

6) Spectator ions:

The ions that appear at both sides are called spectator ions and they cancel each other leading to the net ionic equation.

So, you cancel  2H⁺ (aq) and 2 Cl⁻ (aq) on each side, and write what is left.

7) Net ionic equation:

• BaSO₃ (s)  → Ba²⁺ (aq) + SO₃²⁻ (aq) ← answer