How would you balance the following equation: Na2CO3 + BaCl2 --> NaCl + BaCO3?

1 Answer
Nov 9, 2015

Na_2CO_3+BaCl_2->2NaCl+BaCO_3

Explanation:

It is important to notice that the CO_3^(2-) is a polyatomic ion, known as the carbonate ion. When balancing equations with polyatomic ions you can consider them to be a single entity.

On the reactant side you have:
2 Na
1 CO_3 ion
1 Ba
2 Cl

By placing 2 moles on the product side you conserve the mass of both Na and Cl.

Since there is one CO_3 ion and oneBa you don't need to worry about their stoiciometric coefficient.