Question

The product obtained on fusion of \(\mathrm{BaSO}_{4}\) and \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\) is: (a) \(\mathrm{BaO}\) (b) \(\mathrm{BaCO}_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{BaHSO}_{4}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Ba}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\)

Short answer

The product is \( \mathrm{BaCO}_{3} \). (b) BaCO₃.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Reactants

The reactants in the reaction are barium sulfate, \( \mathrm{BaSO}_{4} \), and sodium carbonate, \( \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \). These compounds react under fusion, which means heating them together to form a molten mixture.

Balanced Reaction Equation

When \( \mathrm{BaSO}_{4} \) is fused with \( \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \), a chemical reaction occurs to produce barium carbonate, \( \mathrm{BaCO}_{3} \), and sodium sulfate, \( \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4} \). The balanced chemical equation is:\[ \mathrm{BaSO}_{4} + \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{BaCO}_{3} + \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4} \]

Identifying the Product

The product of interest from the reaction between \( \mathrm{BaSO}_{4} \) and \( \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \) is the barium compound, which is \( \mathrm{BaCO}_{3} \). Therefore, the barium compound obtained from this reaction is barium carbonate.

Key concepts

Barium Carbonate

Barium Carbonate (\(\mathrm{BaCO}_{3}\)) is an inorganic compound that plays a critical role in various chemical reactions. One way to produce this compound is through a fusion reaction involving commonly found minerals like Barium Sulfate (\(\mathrm{BaSO}_{4}\)). Barium Carbonate appears as a white solid and is insoluble in water, making it a useful component in manufacturing, particularly in the ceramics industry.

In the context of the given chemical reaction, \(\mathrm{BaSO}_{4}\) reacts with \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\) to form \(\mathrm{BaCO}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\). Such transformations often require heating, which facilitates the formation of the new compounds by breaking and forming chemical bonds. Barium Carbonate is favored over other potential products in this scenario due to its stability under reaction conditions.

For students learning about this type of reaction, understanding the properties and uses of Barium Carbonate will provide deeper insight into why this reaction is relevant in both academic and practical settings.

Fusion Reaction

Fusion reactions involve the process of mixing and heating substances to produce new compounds. In the given exercise, Barium Sulfate (\(\mathrm{BaSO}_{4}\)) and Sodium Carbonate (\(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\)) are subjected to high temperatures, prompting them to react and form a fusion product. The heat facilitates the breaking of existing chemical bonds, allowing for the formation of new ones, leading to Barium Carbonate (\(\mathrm{BaCO}_{3}\)), and Sodium Sulfate (\(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\)).

This type of reaction is pivotal in industrial processes where specific compounds are required as precursors to another reaction, or where waste products need to be transformed into more useful substances. When teaching or learning about these reactions, it is crucial to understand that heat acts as the driving force, enabling atoms in the reactants to arrange into new configurations. This enables the desired product formation while adhering to the conservation of mass.

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation reflects the principle of conservation of mass, ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Let's break down the given equation:\[ \mathrm{BaSO}_{4} + \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{BaCO}_{3} + \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4} \]

In this equation, the same number of barium, sulfur, oxygen, sodium, and carbon atoms are present before and after the reaction. This balance is essential because it illustrates that atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

To achieve a balanced equation, one must carefully count the number of atoms for each element on the reactant side and ensure they match with those on the product side. This process ensures that the equation conforms to the laws of chemistry, which forms the basis for understanding how substances interact.

Grasping the skill of balancing equations is crucial for students, enabling them to predict the outcomes of chemical reactions accurately. As such, incorporating balanced chemical equations in the study enhances comprehension of chemical processes and the stoichiometry required in various applications.