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Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution
Chapter 4, Problem 82a

How would you prepare the following substances by a precipitation reaction? (a) PbSO4

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Precipitation Reaction

A precipitation reaction occurs when two soluble salts react in solution to form an insoluble product, known as a precipitate. This process typically involves the exchange of ions between the reactants, leading to the formation of a solid that separates from the liquid phase. Understanding the solubility rules is crucial for predicting whether a precipitate will form.
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Solubility Rules

Solubility rules are guidelines that help predict the solubility of various ionic compounds in water. For example, most sulfates are soluble, but lead(II) sulfate (PbSO4) is an exception and is insoluble in water. Familiarity with these rules allows chemists to determine which combinations of reactants will yield a precipitate during a reaction.
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Ionic Equations

Ionic equations represent the species involved in a chemical reaction, highlighting the ions that participate in the formation of a precipitate. In the case of preparing PbSO4, the net ionic equation would show the lead ions (Pb²⁺) and sulfate ions (SO4²⁻) combining to form the solid PbSO4. Writing and balancing these equations is essential for understanding the stoichiometry of the reaction.
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