Question

In the reaction BaCl2(aq) + Na S04(aq) BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq), what phases are the reactants in before the reaction?

A. Both reactants are gases.
B. BaCl₂ is a liquid, and Na₂SO₄ is a gas.
C. BaCl₂ is a solid, and Na₂SO₄ is in aqueous solution.
D. Both reactants are in aqueous solution.

Answer 1

The phases of the reactants before the reaction are as follows: BaCl₂ is in the solid state
`(\( \text{BaCl}_2(\text{s}) \))`, and Na₂SO₄ is in aqueous solution
`(\( \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4(\text{aq}) \)).`

The correct option is C. BaCl₂ is a solid, and Na₂SO₄ is in aqueous solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the chemical reaction
`\( \text{BaCl}_2(\text{aq}) + \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4(\text{aq}) \rightarrow \text{BaSO}_4(\text{s}) + 2\text{NaCl}(\text{aq}) \)`, the reactants before the reaction have distinct physical states:

- BaCl₂ is in the solid state
`(\( \text{BaCl}_2(\text{s}) \)).`

- Na₂SO₄ is present in aqueous solution
`(\( \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4(\text{aq}) \)).`

This distinction in physical states is important in understanding the initial conditions of the reaction.

The correct option is C. BaCl₂ is a solid, and Na₂SO₄ is in aqueous solution.