Here's the balanced chemical equation:
CoCl2 (aq) + Pb(NO3)2 (aq) → PbCl2 (s) + Co(NO3)2 (aq)
Here's a breakdown:
* CoCl2 (aq): Cobalt chloride is soluble in water, forming cobalt(II) ions (Co²⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).
* Pb(NO3)2 (aq): Lead nitrate is also soluble in water, forming lead(II) ions (Pb²⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻).
* PbCl2 (s): Lead chloride is insoluble in water, and it precipitates out of the solution as a white solid.
* Co(NO3)2 (aq): Cobalt nitrate remains dissolved in the solution.
The reaction occurs because the lead(II) ions (Pb²⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) have a strong attraction for each other, forming a stable, insoluble compound (PbCl2).