15 Facts on H2SO4 + BaCO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Barium carbonate belongs to the class of alkaline earth metal carbonates that can react with powerful acids such as sulfuric acid. Let us look into their reaction in depth.

Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a strong, colorless, hygroscopic mineral acid which, when reacted with barium carbonate (BaCO₃), a white solid compound, generates a white crystalline metal sulfate. BaCO₃ is an odorless noxious chemical that is immiscible in water but miscible in most acids.

Let us discuss the chemical and physical characteristics of the reaction between H₂SO₄ and BaCO₃, such as the products formed, reaction enthalpy, ionic equation, etc.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and BaCO₃

Barium sulfate and carbonic acid are formed as products when barium carbonate combines with sulfuric acid. The bicarbonate, H₂CO₃, dissociates instantly into water and carbon dioxide.

BaCO₃ (s) + H₂SO₄ (aq) —> BaSO₄ (s) + H₂CO₃ (aq)

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is a double displacement type of reaction, also known as salt metathesis reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃

Following are the steps to balance the reaction mentioned below as per the law of conservation of mass:

BaCO₃ + H₂SO₄ —> BaSO₄ + H₂CO₃

• The number of moles of atoms of each reacting element is counted and tabulated.

• Firstly, the main group elements, in this case, Ba, S and C, are equalized on both the reactant and product sides.
• Lastly, the oxygen and hydrogen atoms are balanced.
• The above reaction is already balanced because of the equal number of atoms of each element present on both the reactant and product sides.
• Thus the balanced chemical equation for H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is given below.
• BaCO₃ + H₂SO₄ —> BaSO₄ + H₂CO₃

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Titration

Titration between BaCO₃ and H₂SO₄ will not proceed even though H₂SO₄ is a strong acid, but BaCO₃ does not behave as a base in the reaction.

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Net Ionic Equation

The net ionic equation of H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is: BaCO₃ (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) + SO₄^2- (aq) = BaSO₄ (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) + CO₃^2- (aq)

Steps to derive the net ionic equation are as follows:

• The balanced equation is noted considering the phase of each compound.
• BaCO₃ (s) + H₂SO₄ (aq) = BaSO₄ (s) + H₂CO₃ (aq)
• The reacting compounds existing in the aqueous phase and that can dissociate in water are split into their respective ions.
• Finally, the spectator ions, if any, are eliminated to achieve the net ionic equation.
• The net ionic equation is,
• BaCO₃ (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) + SO₄^2- (aq) = BaSO₄ (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) + CO₃^2- (aq)

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Conjugate Pairs

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ has the following conjugate pairs:

• Conjugate base of H₂SO₄ is HSO₄^–
• Conjugate base of H₂CO₃  is HCO₃^–

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Intermolecular Forces

• Van der Waals dispersion forces, hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions are the intermolecular forces that hold the H₂SO₄ molecules together.
• Strong electrostatic ionic forces of attraction exist between Ba²⁺ and CO₃^2- ions as, BaCO₃ is an ionic compound.
• Intermolecular forces between H₂CO₃ molecules are London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, and hydrogen bonding forces.

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Reaction Enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is 47.11 kJ/mol (approximate value).

• The enthalpy of a reaction is calculated using the formula: ΔH⁰_{f (reaction)} = ΣΔH⁰_{f (products)} – ΣΔH⁰_{f (reactants)}
• Standard enthalpy of reaction = [1×(-1465.2) + 1×(-612.96)] – [1×(-1216) + 1×(-909.27)] kJ/mol = 47.11 kJ/mol.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ a Buffer Solution

BaCO₃ and H₂SO₄ will not produce a buffer solution due to the presence of strong acid, H₂SO₄.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ a Complete Reaction

The reaction BaCO₃ + H₂SO₄ is not a complete reaction as it does not reach completion. This is because a BaSO₄ layer forms on the surface of BaCO₃ which separates the two reactants. Thus, the reaction ends soon after it begins, since H₂SO₄ is now no longer in contact with BaCO₃.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ an Exothermic or Endothermic Reaction

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is an endothermic reaction, as the standard enthalpy of the reaction is positive; thus, energy is provided or absorbed by the system to drive the reaction in the forward direction.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ a Redox Reaction

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is not a redox reaction since the oxidation states of the reacting elements do not change on both sides of the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ a Precipitation Reaction

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is a precipitation reaction as the product obtained is a white insoluble precipitate of BaSO₄.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Reversible or Irreversible Reaction

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is an irreversible reaction because BaSO₄ formed is a residue that is immiscible in water, and as a result, no reverse reaction is possible.

Is H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ Displacement Reaction

H₂SO₄ + BaCO₃ is an example of double displacement reaction since the cations and anions interchange their positions to form the corresponding products.

Conclusion

Barium sulfate, found in nature as a mineral barite, is a white crystalline solid synthesized by the reaction of BaCO₃ with H₂SO₄. Barium sulfate is a key ingredient in oil well drilling fluid. It works well as a filler in plastics as well. It also demonstrates applicability in the medical field.

Padmakshi Kotoky

Hello, I am Padmakshi Kotoky working as a Subject Matter Expert on this platform. I have completed my post-graduation from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. I have always found Chemistry an intriguing subject and enjoy exploring more on it. I would like to utilize this platform to explain the subject in an easy and precise manner making it simpler for the readers to understand the concepts with clarity. I engage myself in Singing, Dancing, and nature photography during my leisure time.
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