Question

If experimental observations have shown that the only precipitate to form during the reaction between lithium sulfate with strontium chlorate was crystallized strontium sulfate, consider the other product and how to express this reaction in a chemical equation. Write the balanced molecular equation for this precipitation reaction.

Answer 1

Start by writing down each element, can you do that? Look at your periodic table in either your book or whatever. Here is a site that has the periodic table and all their information: http://ptable.com/

Answer 2

Keep in mind that some of them are polyatomic ions, and you need to memorize those, here is another site that has a list of most common polyatomic ions that you should have memorized: http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/tutor/chem/chem130/nomenclature/polyatomicion.html

Answer 3

Lithium =
sulfate =

strontium =
chlorate =

Answer 4

So if im correct lithium sulfate and strontium chlorate are the reactants and strontium sulfate is the product right?

Answer 5

Yes. But, in a chemical reaction, you need to make sure that you include EVERYTHING in the reaction, so do not forget about lithium and chlorate (even if they do not form anything).
Because in a reaction, things do not just disappear and become excluded.

Answer 6

Lithium Sulfate Li2So4

Answer 7

Sr(ClO3)2

Answer 8

Yes.
The final step is to write it all down and make sure that the equation is balanced! That means you have equal number of atoms reacting and producing. Like i mentioned before, they do not disappear. No matter is created nor destroyed (first law of conservation of mass)

Answer 9

Stronium Sulfate SrSO4

Answer 10

So would everything be solids?

Answer 11

No. Read the question, "the only precipitate to form during the reaction between lithium sulfate with strontium chlorate was crystallized strontium sulfate"

Answer 12

In chemistry, when the reaction occurs in a liquid solution, the solid formed is called the \(\sf precipitate\)

Answer 13

Oh ok now I see. Thank you! :)

Answer 14

So heres my anwer LiSo4(l) + Sr(ClO3)2(l) -----> SrSo4(s) + 2LiClO3(l)