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.

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