Question 1:
Use the incomplete reaction to complete the activity.
Ba (Cl*O_{3}) 2 \ +3O 2
In two to five sentences, identify the type of reaction that is occurring and identify the other product. Based on the subscripts of the elements in the other product and the fact that chlorine has seven valence electrons, determine the number of electrons in barium's (Ba) outer shell.
1 answer
The reaction is a decomposition reaction because the reactant, Barium chlorate (Ba(ClO3)2), breaks down into smaller products. The other product is Barium chloride (BaCl2). Since chlorine has seven valence electrons and there are two chlorine atoms in BaCl2, a total of 14 electrons are involved with the chlorine atoms. Barium is an alkali metal and typically has 2 valence electrons. However, in this reaction, the overall charge of the compound is neutral, so the barium atom must have 2 outer shell electrons.
1 answer