I have a solution of Fe2(SO4)3, i.e. iron(III) sulphate solution. To test for the presence of the sulphate anion, nitric acid & barium nitrate were added. A white precipitate was obtained.

Please help to check if the following equation is correct for the above reaction?

Fe2(SO4)3 + 3Ba(NO3)2
�¨ 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3BaSO4

hey ppl

Equation looks ok to me.

To determine if the given equation is correct, we need to balance the chemical equation and check if the products are correct.

The balanced equation for the reaction between Fe2(SO4)3 and 3Ba(NO3)2 is as follows:

Fe2(SO4)3 + 3Ba(NO3)2 -> 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3BaSO4

The equation is balanced with the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. The products are Fe(NO3)3 (iron(III) nitrate) and BaSO4 (barium sulfate).

Therefore, the given equation is correct for the reaction between Fe2(SO4)3 and Ba(NO3)2. The white precipitate obtained is indeed BaSO4, indicating the presence of the sulfate anion (SO4^2-).

To check if the given equation is correct for the reaction, we can use the process of balancing chemical equations. Here's how you can do it step by step:

1. Write down the given unbalanced equation:
Fe2(SO4)3 + 3Ba(NO3)2 → 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3BaSO4

2. Count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Start with the complex ions or polyatomic ions and then move on to the individual atoms:
On the left side:
- Iron (Fe): 2
- Sulfate (SO4): 3 × 1 (as the whole ion) = 3
- Barium (Ba): 3 × 2 (as a whole ion) = 6
- Nitrate (NO3): 3 × 2 (as a whole ion) = 6
On the right side:
- Iron (Fe): 2
- Sulfate (SO4): 3
- Barium (Ba): 3
- Nitrate (NO3): 2 × 3 = 6

3. Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients in front of the compounds. The goal is to have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. The approach is usually to start with the compound that has the most atoms and work your way down. In this case, we'll start with Barium (Ba):
On the left side:
- Barium (Ba): 3 × 2 (as a whole ion) = 6
On the right side:
- Barium (Ba): 3
To balance the Barium, we'll add a coefficient of 2 in front of Ba(NO3)2:
Fe2(SO4)3 + 3Ba(NO3)2 → 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3BaSO4

4. Now let's check the rest of the atoms. Count them again:
On the left side:
- Sulfate (SO4): 3 × 1 (as the whole ion) = 3
- Nitrate (NO3): 3 × 2 (as a whole ion) = 6
On the right side:
- Sulfate (SO4): 3
- Nitrate (NO3): 2 × 3 = 6

5. All the atoms are balanced now, so the equation is correct. The balanced equation for the reaction is:
Fe2(SO4)3 + 3Ba(NO3)2 → 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3BaSO4

Therefore, the given equation is correct.