BaSO4

Definition

BaSO4, or barium sulfate, is a naturally occurring mineral compound composed of barium and sulfate ions. It is a key term in the context of the topics: 18.9 Occurrence, Preparation, and Compounds of Oxygen, as it is a significant compound of oxygen and is found in nature as well as produced industrially.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Barium sulfate is a white, dense, and chemically inert powder that is insoluble in water and most common solvents.
2. It is the main commercial source of the element barium and is used in a variety of applications, including as a pigment, filler, and X-ray contrast medium.
3. Barium sulfate is found naturally as the mineral barite, which is the most common barium mineral and is mined from deposits in the earth's crust.
4. Industrially, barium sulfate can be produced by the reaction of barium chloride or barium hydroxide with sulfuric acid or sodium sulfate.
5. Barium sulfate is considered a stable and safe compound, as barium ions are not readily absorbed by the body, making it useful for medical imaging procedures.

Review Questions

• Describe the occurrence and natural sources of barium sulfate.
  • Barium sulfate, or BaSO4, occurs naturally as the mineral barite, which is the most common barium mineral found in the earth's crust. Barite deposits are mined from the ground and are the primary commercial source of barium. Barium sulfate is found in sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins, and as a precipitate in some bodies of water, making it a naturally occurring compound that can be extracted and utilized for various applications.
• Explain the industrial preparation of barium sulfate and its importance as a compound of oxygen.
  • Barium sulfate can be industrially produced through the reaction of barium chloride or barium hydroxide with sulfuric acid or sodium sulfate. This process allows for the large-scale manufacture of barium sulfate, which is an important compound of oxygen. As a stable and inert compound, barium sulfate has numerous applications, including as a pigment, filler, and X-ray contrast medium, making it a crucial industrial chemical. The preparation of barium sulfate demonstrates how compounds of oxygen can be synthesized for commercial and medical purposes.
• Analyze the chemical properties and safety considerations of barium sulfate in the context of its use as a compound of oxygen.
  • Barium sulfate is a chemically inert and insoluble compound, which contributes to its safety and widespread use. The barium ions in BaSO4 are not readily absorbed by the body, making it a suitable compound for medical imaging procedures, such as X-rays and CT scans, where it is used as a contrast medium. Additionally, the stability and low reactivity of barium sulfate allow it to be used as a pigment and filler in various products without posing significant safety concerns. The unique properties of BaSO4 as a compound of oxygen, including its occurrence, preparation, and chemical characteristics, demonstrate its importance and versatility in both industrial and medical applications.

Related terms

Barium: Barium is a silvery-white, soft alkaline earth metal that is highly reactive and is found in the earth's crust.

Sulfate:

The sulfate ion (SO4^2-) is a polyatomic ion consisting of one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms, and is the conjugate base of sulfuric acid.

Barite: Barite is the mineral form of barium sulfate (BaSO4) and is the primary commercial source of barium.