Chapter 11, Problem 2STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine the spectator ion in the given reaction.

Concept Introduction: An ion that can be found in a chemical equation as both a reactant and even a product is known as a spectator ion.

Answer to Problem 2STP

(E)

Explanation of Solution

In this reaction, there is no spectator ion because Barium cation and sulfate anion form precipitate, and hydrogen cations and hydroxide anion form water molecules.

The balanced reaction can be written as:

  ${\text{Ba(OH)}}_{\text{2}}{\text{(aq)+H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}\text{(aq)}\to {\text{BaSO}}_{\text{4}}{\text{(s)+2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O(l)}$

The net ionic equation can be written as:

  ${\text{Ba}}^{\text{2+}}{\text{(aq)+2OH}}^{\text{-}}{\text{(aq)+2H}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+SO}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{2-}}\text{(aq)}\to {\text{BaSO}}_{\text{4}}{\text{(s)+2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O(l)}$

Thus, there is no spectator ion.