Question

When concentrated aqueous solutions of `Ba(OH)_2` and `Li_2SO_4` are mixed, a precipitate forms. How do you write balanced molecular, total ionic, and net ionic equations for this chemical reaction?

Answer 1

`"Barium hydroxide + lithium sulfate "rarr" barium sulfate + lithium hydroxide"`

Explanation:

`Ba(OH)_2(aq) + Li_2SO_4(aq) rarr BaSO_4(s)darr + Li(OH)_2(aq)`

`Ba^(2+) + cancel(2HO^(-)) + cancel(2Li^+) + SO_4^(2-) rarr BaSO_4(s)darr +cancel(2Li^+) + cancel(2HO^(-))`

And net, because hydroxide and lithium ions are simply along for the ride:

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

Is mass conserved? Is charge conserved in each equation? If not, they should be!