Reaction: Barium Chloride + Aluminium Sulphate

In Class 10 Chemistry (Chemical Reactions and Equations), predicting the products of two aqueous ionic compounds mixing together is a key concept. The reaction between Barium chloride and Aluminium sulphate is a classic example of a double displacement and precipitation reaction.

Question (Click to Flip)

Why doesn't Barium sulphate dissolve in water?

Answer

Barium sulphate has a very high lattice energy compared to its hydration energy, meaning the water molecules cannot break the strong ionic bonds holding the Barium and Sulphate ions together.

Card 1 of 1 free previews

Key Facts

Barium sulphate is widely used in medicine as a 'Barium Meal' to help take clear X-rays of the digestive tract.

Aluminium chloride remains dissolved in the water (aqueous).

This reaction is an excellent laboratory test to confirm the presence of sulphate ions.

1. The Chemical Reaction

When an aqueous solution of Barium chloride ($BaCl_2$) is mixed with an aqueous solution of Aluminium sulphate ($Al_2(SO_4)_3$), the ions swap partners.

Barium pairs with Sulphate to form Barium sulphate ($BaSO_4$).
Aluminium pairs with Chloride to form Aluminium chloride ($AlCl_3$).

2. The Balanced Chemical Equation

$3BaCl_2 (aq) + Al_2(SO_4)_3 (aq) \rightarrow 3BaSO_4 (s) \downarrow + 2AlCl_3 (aq)$

3. Type of Reaction

Double Displacement Reaction: Because two compounds exchange their ions to form two new compounds.
Precipitation Reaction: Barium sulphate ($BaSO_4$) is insoluble in water. It immediately drops out of the solution as a heavy, white precipitate (indicated by the solid state 's' and the downward arrow).

Questions and Answers

Why doesn't Barium sulphate dissolve in water?+

Barium sulphate has a very high lattice energy compared to its hydration energy, meaning the water molecules cannot break the strong ionic bonds holding the Barium and Sulphate ions together.

More in Chemistry

⚗️

Bond Order of CO (Carbon Monoxide)

Learn the bond order of CO using Molecular Orbital Theory. Understand why CO has a bond order of 3 and is isoelectronic with N₂.

⚗️

What is the Bond Order of N2 (Nitrogen)?

Learn how to calculate the bond order of the Nitrogen molecule (N2) using Molecular Orbital Theory. Understand why N2 is so stable and unreactive.

⚗️

What is the Bond Order of O2 (Oxygen Gas)?

Learn how to calculate the bond order of O2 (Oxygen molecule) using Molecular Orbital Theory. Understand why the bond order is 2 and why oxygen is paramagnetic.

⚗️

What is Brisk Effervescence in Chemistry?

Learn the meaning of brisk effervescence in chemistry. Understand why the rapid escape of gas bubbles occurs during chemical reactions, with examples.

⚗️

BrF₃ ⇌ Br₂ + F₂ — Bromine Trifluoride Auto-Ionization Explained

Bromine trifluoride (BrF₃) undergoes auto-ionization: 2BrF₃ ⇌ BrF₂⁺ + BrF₄⁻. It acts as both a Lewis acid and base. Learn BrF₃ structure, reactions with Br₂ and F₂, and uses.

Study Smarter with Shinyu.ai

Turn this guide into revision flashcards, a practice exam, or an AI-generated podcast — free, no signup required.