Lead Sulfate Precipitation

Pb(NO₃)₂ + Na₂SO₄ → PbSO₄↓ + 2NaNO₃

Overview

Lead nitrate reacts with sodium sulfate to form a white precipitate of lead sulfate (Ksp = 2.5 × 10⁻⁸). PbSO₄ is the discharged form of lead-acid battery electrodes. The mineral form is anglesite, named after Anglesey in Wales.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Sodium Sulfate Na₂SO₄	1	(aq)
Product	Sodium Nitrate NaNO₃	2	(aq)

Everyday Example

When a car battery dies, both electrodes have converted to lead sulfate in a process called sulfation, which is reversed by charging.

Industrial Importance

Lead sulfate formation limits lead-acid battery capacity. Understanding and preventing sulfation is key to battery longevity.

Properties

Type: Precipitation
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -19.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide Precipitation Barium Carbonate Precipitation Barium Sulfate 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Lead Sulfate Precipitation?

The balanced equation is: Pb(NO₃)₂ + Na₂SO₄ → PbSO₄↓ + 2NaNO₃.

What type of reaction is Lead Sulfate Precipitation?

Lead Sulfate Precipitation is a precipitation reaction.

Is Lead Sulfate Precipitation exothermic or endothermic?

Lead Sulfate Precipitation is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -19.0 kJ/mol.