Question

Write the chemical name for the ionic compound ${\mathbf{BaSO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ and mention its molecular weight in brackets after the name.

Answer 1

• The chemical name of ${\mathbf{BaSO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ is barium sulfate.
• This ionic compound exists as a white crystalline solid and is odorless. It is insoluble in water.
• It is prepared by reacting barium chloride (${\mathbf{BaCl}}_{\mathbf{2}}$) with sulphuric acid(${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{SO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$). This results in the formation of a precipitate called barium sulfate. The reaction for the same is given as;

• It has a medical value as it can be used to help diagnose or find problems in the esophagus, stomach, and bowels.
• It is composed of barium, sulfur, and oxygen with molecular weights of 137.327, 32, and 16 gm/mol respectively. Hence the molecular weight of ${\mathbf{BaSO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$is 233.327 gm/mol [137.327+32+(16*4)]

Thus, the chemical name and molecular weight for the ionic compound ${\mathbf{BaSO}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ is barium sulfate (233.327 gm/mol).