Question

Translate the following statement into a balanced chemical equation. When barium chloride reacts with aluminium sulphate, aluminium chloride and barium sulphate are formed. State the type of this reaction giving reason to justify your answer.

Answer 1

The given statement can be translated into a balanced chemical equation as follows:

\[\ce{BaCl2 + Al2(SO4)3 → 2AICl3 + 3BaSO4}\]

This balanced equation represents the reaction between barium chloride \[\ce{(BaCl2)}\] and aluminium sulphate \[\ce{(Al2(SO4)3}\], producing aluminium chloride \[\ce{(AlCl3)}\] and barium sulphate \[\ce{(BaSO4)}\].

\[\ce{3BaCl2 + Al2(SO4)3 -> 2AlCl3 + 3BaSO4}\]

Type of Reaction: This is a double displacement reaction, often known as metathesis. This reaction involves switching the cations and anions of two distinct compounds, resulting in the production of two new molecules. In this process, barium chloride and aluminium sulphate exchange ions, resulting in aluminium chloride and barium sulphate.