Question

Cobalt sulfate and lead nitrate combine to make lead sulfate. How and why does this happen?

Answer 1

Because most sulfates are soluble.....

Explanation:

However, there are several INSOLUBLE sulfates, and these include `BaSO_4`, `Ag_2SO_4`, and `PbSO_4`.......`CaSO_4` is marginally soluble....

And thus mixing solutions of soluble `CoSO_4(aq)` and `Pb(NO_3)_2` gives a metathesis reaction, and formation of INSOLUBLE `PbSO_4(s)`....

And we can represent this reaction by the equation....

`CoSO_4(aq) + Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) rarr Co(NO_3)_2(aq) + PbSO_4(s)darr`

The net ionic equation is....

`Pb^(2+) + SO_4^(2-) rarr PbSO_4(s)darr`

Solubilities are experimental phenomena, and must simply be learned....