Question

The correct formula for barium sulfate is

• A. $\mathrm{BaS}$
• B. ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_2$
• C. $\mathrm{BaSO}$
• D. ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$

Answer 1

The correct option is D

${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$

The explanation for the correct option:

Option (D): ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$

1. It is a neutral compound formed by barium ion and sulfate ion.
2. To write a chemical formula we have to use the crisscross method where we have to first write the charge of ions then interchange them and reduced it to the lowest number possible.
3. Barium ion is a metal that belongs to group two of the periodic table therefore, its valency is $+2$ i.e. it is a cation
4. The sulfate ion is a non-metal and a polyatomic ion formed by sulfur and oxygen with a valency of $-2$ i.e. it is an anion
5. Now we have to interchange the charge on positive ion and negative ion we get ${\mathrm{Ba}}_2{\left({\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)}_2$
6. After interchanging we have to reduce the number to the lowest number possible, we will have${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$.
7. Hence, it is the correct option.

The explanation for the incorrect option:

Option (A): $\mathrm{BaS}$

1. The inorganic chemical with the formula $\mathrm{BaS}$ is called barium sulfide.
2. It is the barium compound that is made in the greatest quantity. It is an important precursor for the production of other barium compounds, such as barium carbonate and the pigment lithopone.
3. Hence, it is the incorrect option.

Option (B): ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_2$

1. ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_2$ stands for Barium hyposulfite.
2. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

Option (C): $\mathrm{BaSO}$

1. Barium ion is a metal that belongs to group two of the periodic table therefore, its valency is $+2$ i.e. it is a cation
2. The sulfate ion is a non-metal and a polyatomic ion formed by sulfur and oxygen with a valency of $-2$ i.e. it is an anion
3. After interchanging the valencies and reducing it to the lowest form we get the formula ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$
4. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

Therefore, the correct formula for barium sulfate is ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$, option (D) is the correct answer.