Question

which of these is the correct balanced chemical equation, including states of matter, for the reaction of aqueous solutions of barium chloride and potassium sulfate? bacl₂(aq) + k₂so₄(aq) → 2kcl(s) + baso₄(aq) 2bacl₂(aq) + k₂so₄(aq) → 2kcl(aq) + baso₄(aq) 2bacl₂(aq) + k₂so₄(aq) → 2kcl(s) + baso₄(s) bacl₂(aq) + k₂so₄(aq) → 2kcl(aq) + baso₄(s)

Explanation:

Step1: Identify reactants and products

Reactants: Barium chloride ($\ce{BaCl2(aq)}$) and potassium sulfate ($\ce{K2SO4(aq)}$).
Products: Barium sulfate and potassium chloride. Barium sulfate ($\ce{BaSO4}$) is insoluble (precipitate, state: s), potassium chloride ($\ce{KCl}$) is soluble (state: aq).

Step2: Balance the equation

• Barium (Ba): 1 on left (in $\ce{BaCl2}$), 1 on right (in $\ce{BaSO4}$) – balanced.
• Sulfate ($\ce{SO4^{2-}}$): 1 on left (in $\ce{K2SO4}$), 1 on right (in $\ce{BaSO4}$) – balanced.
• Potassium (K): 2 on left (in $\ce{K2SO4}$), so need 2 on right (in $\ce{KCl}$) – $\ce{2KCl}$.
• Chloride (Cl): 2 on left (in $\ce{BaCl2}$), 2 on right (in $\ce{2KCl}$) – balanced.

Thus, the balanced equation with correct states: $\ce{BaCl2(aq) + K2SO4(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)}$.

Answer:

$\boldsymbol{\ce{BaCl2(aq) + K2SO4(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)}}$ (the last option)