Question

answer the questions about the reaction you just balanced.
3 ba(c₂h₃o₂)₂ + 2 na₃po₄ → 6 nac₂h₃o₂ + ba₃(po₄)₂(s)
this reaction starts with two compounds and ends with two different compounds.
another way to look at the reaction is that the ba⁺² is displacing the na⁺¹, and the na⁺¹ is displacing the ba⁺². therefore, it is an 1 reaction.
neither ba⁺², c₂h₃o₂⁻¹, na⁺¹, nor po₄⁻³ change oxidation state during the reaction.
no atom gained or lost electrons. is this a redox reaction? (yes/no)2
the reaction formed a solid which will precipitate out of the solution and be removed from where the reaction takes place. this means that the reverse reaction cannot take place. will the reaction happen as it is written? (yes/no)3. the reverse reaction would not happen.
a. synthesis b. decomposition c. single displacement
d. double displacement e. neutralization f. combustion
g. yes h. no i. reactive j. stable k. oxidized l. reduced

Explanation:

• For question 1: In a double - displacement reaction, the cations and anions of two compounds exchange places. Here, \(Ba^{2 +}\) and \(Na^{+}\) are exchanging their anionic partners (\(C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}^{-}\) and \(PO_{4}^{3 -}\)).
• For question 2: Redox reactions involve a change in oxidation states (gain or loss of electrons). Since no atom's oxidation state changes (\(Ba^{2+}\), \(C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}^{-1}\), \(Na^{+1}\), \(PO_{4}^{-3}\) have the same oxidation states throughout the reaction), it is not a redox reaction.
• For question 3: When a precipitate (\(Ba_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}(s)\)) is formed, the reaction proceeds in the forward direction as written because the reverse reaction (dissolving the precipitate to reform the reactants) is not favored under normal conditions.

Answer:

1. D. double displacement
2. H. no
3. G. yes