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.