When ionic compounds dissolve, the The table above illustrates the compounds

resulting solution contains the separated formed, with the spectator ions (ions which are
ions. Let’s take into consideration the already on the reactants side of the equation)
following example: crossed out. It is easier to simply use the table
above until you gain the confidence to solve
K2CrO4 (aq) + Ba (NO3)2 (aq) them on your own.

Finding the precipitate (s)

There are many ways to approach the
above reaction, the clearest would be to The most complicated part of the above
simply use the double displacement law equation, by far, is sorting out the soluble
and state BaCrO4(s) + KNO3(aq) as the product from the insoluble one. There are many
products. However, we are going to laws which state just that, but for the purpose
attempt to take another route in solving of this course keep the following insoluble
this type of precipitation reaction; and list compounds (s) in mind:
the equations in molecular, ionic and net
S2- , CO32-, PO43- & OH- (except for those
ionic form:
containing Na+, K+ Ca2+, Ba2+)
m. K2CrO4(aq) + Ba (NO3)2(aq)
That means that if in your product you find any
i. 2K+(aq) + CrO42-(aq) + Ba2+(aq) + of the above salts, the other compound must be
2NO3-(aq) the soluble compound (aq) 1.

Use the table in figure 1.1 immediately after solving for the ionic

equation until you get the hang of things.

ni. K2CrO4(aq) + Ba(NO3)2(aq) 

BaCrO4(s) + KNO3(aq)

Notice any similarities? We would have

gotten the same result had we just used
the double displacement, and saved us a
lot of writing, however when asked on an
exam to present the three different forms,
it is good to have them down.

Fig 1.1

NO3- CrO42-
K+ KNO3 K2CrO4
Ba2+ Ba(NO3)2 BaCrO4