When solutions of barium chloride (aq) and sodium sulfate (aq) are mixed, what is/are the spectator ion(s)?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 2, 2016

#"Sodium and chloride ions........."#

Explanation:

We write the equation for the formation of #BaSO_4(s)# as:

#BaCl_2(aq) + Na_2SO_4(aq) rarr BaSO_4(s)darr + 2NaCl(aq)#

Alternatively, we could write the net ionic equation:

#Ba^(2+) + SO_4^(2-) rarr BaSO_4(s)darr#

In other words, the #Na^+#, and #Cl^-# ions are along for the ride. The are passengers, spectators, and play no part in the macroscopic reaction.

Related questions
See all questions in Polyatomic Ions
Impact of this question
71937 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License