Question

Which of the following represents the complete ionic equation for this reaction?

a) 2K⁺(aq) + C₂O₄²⁻(aq) + Ba²⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → 2K⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) + BaC₂O₄(s)
b)2K⁺(aq) + C₂O₄²⁻(aq) + Ba²⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → BaC₂O₄(s)
c) 2K⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) → 2K⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) + BaC₂O₄(s)
d)None of the above

Answer 1

The complete ionic equation that represents the reaction is 2K+(aq) + C2O42−(aq) + Ba2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) → BaC2O4(s), correctly displayed as option (b). It includes all the ions in the reaction mixture except the spectator ions, which do not undergo a chemical change.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct complete ionic equation for the reaction provided is represented by option (b):

2K+(aq) + C2O42−(aq) + Ba2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) → BaC2O4(s)

This is the complete ionic equation because it shows all of the soluble ionic species as they are present in the reaction mixture. The potassium ions (K+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) do not change during the course of the reaction and are therefore omitted in this type of equation as spectator ions. The species that do change, which are the barium ions (Ba2+) and the oxalate ions (C2O42−), combine to form barium oxalate (BaC2O4), a solid precipitate, indicating a reaction has occurred.