Barium hydroxide and Hydrochloric acid Reaction | Ba(OH)2 + HCl
Barium hydroxide reacts with Hydrochloric acid and gives Barium chloride and water as results. As chemical products, heat is released due to neutralization of strong acid and strong base.
In this tutorial, we will discuss followings.
Balanced reaction of Barium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid
Ba(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → BaCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
One mole of Barium hydroxide reacts with two moles of Hydrochloric acid. As products, one mole of Barium chloride and two moles of water are given.
2 + HCl reaction.jpg "barium hydroxide hydrochloric acid Ba(OH)2 + HCl reaction")
Reactants of reaction
Barium hydroxide
Aqueous Barium hydroxide solution is a strong base because it completely dissociates to Ba2+ and OH- ions in water. These Barium hydroxide solutions should show pH values much higher than 7.
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid because it completely dissociates to H+ and Cl- ions in water. These Hydrochloric acid solutions should show pH values much lower than 7 due to its strong acidic nature.
Products of reaction
Barium chloride
Barium chloride is a salt and soluble in water to form a colourless aqueous solution.
Heat generation when Ba(OH)2 and HCl are neutralized
When one mole of water is generated due to neutralization of strong acid and strong base, -57.1kJ is released. Because two water moles are generated according to the stoichiometric balanced equation, -114.2 kJ is released when Ba(OH)2 is neutralized by HCl.
Change of oxidation numbers
This reaction is not a redox reaction because oxidation numbers of atoms are not changed during the reaction.
- Barium's only oxidation state is +2. In both Ba(OH)2 and BaCl2, barium is at +2 oxidation state.
- Chlorine's oxidation number in HCl is -1. And also, on BaCl2, oxidation number of chlorine is -1.
Physical and chemical observation of Ba(OH)2 and HCl reaction
Here, we will see some physical observations and chemical properties changes during the reaction. These observations are important to identify compounds from other compounds in the qualitative analysis.
Colour and physical state changes
- Both aqueous barium hydroxide and aqueous hydrochloric acid are colourless solutions.
- Barium chloride which is given as a product is soluble in water and give colourless solution.
pH change
- Reactants: Ba(OH)2 is a strong base and show pH value higher than 7 and HCl is strong acid and should show pH value less than 7.
- Products: Barium chloride is a salt. Both barium and chloride ions are stable in water and do not participating in hydrolysis. If all HCl and Ba(OH)2 are completely reacted with each other, pH of final solution should be 7.
Safety and health hazards possible due to this reaction
- HCl: You should be extremely careful when diluted HCl solution is prepared by concentrated HCl becauase HCl vapour can harm eyes and skin. Also, it is toxic if inhaled. Serious skin burns are possible.
- Ba(OH)2: Due to strong basic properties, skin irritation and burns as well as eye damages are possible and corrosive and toxic.
- Heat generation: Due to generation of large heat in a short time period, be careful to not touch beaker or other where reaction is being happened.
Questions