How would you balance the following equation: Na2CO3 + BaCl2 --> NaCl + BaCO3?

1 Answer
Nov 9, 2015

#Na_2CO_3+BaCl_2->2NaCl+BaCO_3#

Explanation:

It is important to notice that the #CO_3^(2-)# is a polyatomic ion, known as the carbonate ion. When balancing equations with polyatomic ions you can consider them to be a single entity.

On the reactant side you have:
2 #Na#
1 #CO_3# ion
1 #Ba#
2 #Cl#

By placing 2 moles on the product side you conserve the mass of both #Na# and #Cl#.

Since there is one #CO_3# ion and one#Ba# you don't need to worry about their stoiciometric coefficient.