Final answer:
The formula for barium and bisulfate as a single compound does not typically exist, but barium can react with sulfate to form barium sulfate (BaSO4), which is used in medical imaging as a "barium milkshake" due to its low solubility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formula for barium and bisulfate is not typically written as a single compound because barium is a cation with a charge of 2+ (Ba2+), while bisulfate is an anion with a charge of 1- (HSO4-). However, when barium reacts with sulfate (SO42-), a compound called barium sulfate (BaSO4) is formed, which is insoluble in water and can precipitate out of solution in a double displacement reaction.
For example, the reaction between barium chloride (BaCl2) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce barium sulfate and hydrochloric acid is written as follows:
BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2HCl
In medical imaging, a "barium milkshake" containing BaSO4 is consumed by a patient to visualize the gastrointestinal tract because of its low solubility and low absorption into body tissues. The solubility product (Ksp) of barium sulfate at 25°C is 1.08 × 10-10, ensuring that it remains in a solid form for imaging purposes.