1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
(NH₄)₂SO₄(aq) + BaCl₂(aq) → BaSO₄(s) + 2NH₄Cl(aq)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
This involves breaking down all soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
2NH₄⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) + Ba²⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq) → BaSO₄(s) + 2NH₄⁺(aq) + 2Cl⁻(aq)
3. Identify and cancel out spectator ions:
Spectator ions are ions that appear on both sides of the equation and do not participate in the reaction. In this case, NH₄⁺ and Cl⁻ are spectator ions.
4. Write the net ionic equation:
This is the equation after removing the spectator ions:
Ba²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) → BaSO₄(s)
Therefore, the net ionic equation for the reaction of ammonium sulfate and barium chloride is: Ba²⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq) → BaSO₄(s)