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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between aqueous barium chloride and aqueous sodium phosphate to form solid barium phosphate and aqueous sodium chloride?
Identify the reactants and products in the chemical equation: Barium chloride (BaCl₂) and sodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄) are the reactants, while barium phosphate (Ba₃(PO₄)₂) and sodium chloride (NaCl) are the products.
Write the unbalanced chemical equation: BaCl₂(aq) + Na₃PO₄(aq) → Ba₃(PO₄)₂(s) + NaCl(aq).
Balance the barium atoms: Since there are 3 barium atoms in Ba₃(PO₄)₂, you need 3 BaCl₂ molecules. Update the equation to 3BaCl₂(aq) + Na₃PO₄(aq) → Ba₃(PO₄)₂(s) + NaCl(aq).
Balance the phosphate ions: There are 2 phosphate ions in Ba₃(PO₄)₂, so you need 2 Na₃PO₄ molecules. Update the equation to 3BaCl₂(aq) + 2Na₃PO₄(aq) → Ba₃(PO₄)₂(s) + NaCl(aq).
Balance the sodium and chloride ions: There are 6 sodium ions and 6 chloride ions needed to balance the equation, so you need 6 NaCl molecules. The balanced equation is 3BaCl₂(aq) + 2Na₃PO₄(aq) → Ba₃(PO₄)₂(s) + 6NaCl(aq).