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  • Barium Carbonate and Phosphoric Acid Reaction: Chemistry & Products
    The reaction of barium carbonate (BaCO₃) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is a double displacement reaction that produces barium phosphate (Ba₃(PO₄)₂) and carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).

    Here's the balanced chemical equation:

    3BaCO₃(s) + 2H₃PO₄(aq) → Ba₃(PO₄)₂(s) + 3H₂CO₃(aq)

    However, carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) is unstable and readily decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O):

    H₂CO₃(aq) → CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

    Therefore, the overall reaction can be written as:

    3BaCO₃(s) + 2H₃PO₄(aq) → Ba₃(PO₄)₂(s) + 3CO₂(g) + 3H₂O(l)

    Explanation:

    * Double Displacement: The barium (Ba²⁺) ions in barium carbonate switch places with the hydrogen (H⁺) ions in phosphoric acid.

    * Solid Precipitate: Barium phosphate (Ba₃(PO₄)₂) is insoluble in water and forms a white solid precipitate.

    * Gas Evolution: Carbonic acid decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide gas.

    Observations:

    You would observe:

    * Formation of a white precipitate (Ba₃(PO₄)₂) at the bottom of the container.

    * Effervescence (bubbling) due to the release of carbon dioxide gas.

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