Application
Can BaSO4 be a precipitate?
Update date: Jun 17,2024
Yes, barium sulfate (BaSO4) can indeed be a precipitate. It is a classic example of an insoluble compound that forms a precipitate when solutions containing barium ions (Ba²⁺) and sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) are mixed.
In this reaction, soluble barium ions in solution react with soluble sulfate ions to form solid barium sulfate, which precipitates out of the solution due to its very low solubility in water. This property is utilized in various chemical applications, including qualitative inorganic analysis to test for the presence of sulfate ions.
The solubility product constant (Ksp) of barium sulfate is very low, indicating that it is indeed sparingly soluble in water and readily forms a precipitate under typical conditions.