Barium Sulfate Precipitation

BaCl₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄↓ + 2NaCl

Overview

Barium chloride reacts with sodium sulfate to form an extremely insoluble white precipitate of barium sulfate (Ksp = 1.1 × 10⁻¹⁰). BaSO₄ is so insoluble that it is safe to ingest for medical imaging despite barium's toxicity. The precipitate forms instantly as a dense, finely divided white solid.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Sodium Sulfate Na₂SO₄	1	(aq)
Product	Barium Sulfate BaSO₄	1	(s)
Product	Sodium Chloride NaCl	2	(aq)

Everyday Example

Barium sulfate is the white liquid (barium meal) patients drink before gastrointestinal X-rays to make the digestive tract visible.

Industrial Importance

BaSO₄ is used as a radiocontrast agent, as a white pigment (blanc fixe) in paints, in oil well drilling mud, and as a filler in plastics and paper.

Properties

Type: Precipitation
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -24.5 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide Precipitation Barium Carbonate Precipitation Cadmium Sulfide Precipitation (Yellow) Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Calcium Fluoride Precipitation (Fluorite) Calcium Oxalate Precipitation (Kidney Stones) Calcium Phosphate Precipitation (Bone Mineral) Calcium Sulfate Precipitation (Gypsum) Chromium(III) Hydroxide Precipitation Cobalt(II) Hydroxide Precipitation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Barium Sulfate Precipitation?

The balanced equation is: BaCl₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄↓ + 2NaCl.

What type of reaction is Barium Sulfate Precipitation?

Barium Sulfate Precipitation is a precipitation reaction.

Is Barium Sulfate Precipitation exothermic or endothermic?

Barium Sulfate Precipitation is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -24.5 kJ/mol.