Final answer:
When barium chloride reacts with cobalt(II) sulfate, a molecular, complete ionic, and net ionic equation can be written to describe the reaction. The net ionic equation shows the formation of the precipitate barium sulfate from its ions in solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When mixing barium chloride (BaCl2) and cobalt(II) sulfate (CoSO4), we are dealing with a double displacement reaction where two compounds exchange ions to form two new compounds. In this case, barium sulfate (BaSO4), which is insoluble, and cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2), which remains in solution.
Molecular Equation:
BaCl2(aq) + CoSO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + CoCl2(aq)
Complete Ionic Equation:
Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl−(aq) + Co2+(aq) + SO42−(aq) → BaSO4(s) + Co2+(aq) + 2Cl−(aq)
Net Ionic Equation:
Ba2+(aq) + SO42−(aq) → BaSO4(s)
The net ionic equation essentially shows the formation of the precipitate, which is the barium sulfate, from its constituent ions in the solution.