Question

A volume of 0.800 L of a 2 × 10⁻⁴-M Ba(NO₃)₂ solution is added to 0.200 L of 5 × 10⁻⁴ M Li₂SO₄. Does BaSO₄ precipitate? Explain your answer.

a) Yes, BaSO₄ precipitates
b) No, BaSO₄ does not precipitate
c) Insufficient information
d) Depends on temperature

Answer 1

BaSO₄ will precipitate when Ba(NO₃)₂ and Li₂SO₄ solutions are mixed. The correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

The solubility product constant, Ksp, is a measure of the solubility of a compound in a solution. To determine if BaSO4 precipitates when the two solutions are mixed, we compare the reaction quotient, Q, to the Ksp value.

In this case, the Q value is calculated by multiplying the concentrations of Ba²+ and SO4²- in the solution. Since Q > Ksp (5.2 × 10-8 > 1.08 × 10-10), BaSO4 will precipitate when the Ba(NO₃)₂ and Li₂SO₄ solutions are mixed. Therefore, the answer is a) Yes, BaSO₄ precipitates. The correct option is a.