13 Facts About HNO3 + BaF2: How This Combination Work

Nitric acid (HNO₃) and Barium fluoride (BaF₂) are colorless inorganic compounds. Let us learn more about their combination in this article.

HNO₃, also called aqua fortis, is a fuming and corrosive liquid that has multiple industrial uses. It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to turn yellow when stored for a longer period due to decomposition into nitrous oxides. BaF₂ adopts a fluorite structure in standard conditions and is insoluble in water.

In this article, we will learn and understand the combination of HNO₃ and BaF₂ and some of the characteristics of this reaction, like reaction enthalpy, intermolecular forces, balancing, type of reaction, etc.

What is the product of HNO₃ and BaF₂?

Nitrobarite (Ba(NO₃)₂) and Hydrofluoric acid (HF) are the products of the reaction of HNO₃ + BaF₂

2HNO₃ + BaF₂ –> Ba(NO₃)₂ + 2HF

What type of reaction is HNO₃ + BaF₂?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is a double displacement type reaction. F^– and NO₃^– displace each other in this reaction, hence the name.

How to balance HNO₃ + BaF₂?

To balance HNO₃ + BaF₂ reaction,

• Write the chemical equation with reactants on the left side and products on the right side of the forward arrow.

• HNO₃ + BaF₂ –> Ba(NO₃)₂ + HF

• Tabulate the number of atoms of each element on both sides to find if they are equal. According to the law of conservation of atoms, the elements and the number of atoms of elements on both sides must be the same.

• Three elements are unequal on both sides. The imbalanced elements are Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Fluorine.
• We can balance them by changing the stoichiometric coefficient. Start with the element with the highest atomic number, which is fluorine in this case. Add 2 as the stoichiometric coefficient in front of HF.

• HNO₃ + BaF₂ –> Ba(NO₃)₂ + 2HF

• Tabulate the number of atoms of elements on both sides.

• Fluorine is balanced on both sides. Three elements are still unequal on both sides. The imbalanced elements are Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen.
• The same steps are followed. The element that has the highest atomic number is prioritized to be balanced. Add 2 as the stoichiometric coefficient in front of HNO₃.

• 2HNO₃ + BaF₂ –> Ba(NO₃)₂ + 2HF

• Tabulate the number of atoms of elements on both sides.

• All the elements have the same number of atoms on both sides and are now balanced.

HNO₃ + BaF₂ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation of HNO₃ + BaF₂ reaction is:

2H⁺(aq) + 2NO₃^–(aq) + BaF₂(s) –> Ba²⁺(aq) + 2NO₃^–(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) + 2F^–(aq)

• Start by writing the balanced chemical equation of the HNO₃ + BaF₂ reaction.
• Then write the dissociated forms of the compounds in an aqueous solution.
• HNO₃ will dissociate into H⁺ and NO₃^–, and BaF₂ is not written in a dissociated form as it is insoluble in water. Ba(NO₃)₂ will dissociate into Ba²⁺ and NO₃^–, and HF will dissociate into H⁺ and F^–.
• Then write the state of matter for each ion or compound.
• H⁺ and NO₃^– will be in an aqueous form, and BaF₂ will be in solid form before reacting with HNO3. On the product side, H⁺, F^–, Ba²⁺, and NO₃^– will be in aqueous form.
• The net ionic equation is obtained after following the above steps.

HNO₃ + BaF₂ conjugate pairs

HNO₃ + BaF₂ reaction has the following conjugate pairs.

• One of the conjugate pairs of HNO₃ + BaF₂ is HNO₃ and Ba(NO₃)₂
• The other set of conjugate pairs of HNO₃ + BaF₂ is HF and BaF₂.

HNO₃ and BaF₂ intermolecular forces

HNO₃ + BaF₂ reaction has the following intermolecular forces.

• Intermolecular forces in HNO₃ are dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces.
• In BaF₂, the intermolecular forces are dipole-dipole interactions.

HNO₃ + BaF₂ reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of HNO₃ + BaF₂ is -16.5686 kJ. This can be calculated by subtracting the enthalpy of the formation of products from the enthalpy of the formation of reactants.

• Enthalpy of formation of Ba(NO₃)₂ = 1 mol x -992.06824 kJ/mol =  -992.06824 kJ
• Enthalpy of formation of HF = 2 mol x -271.1232 kJ/mol = -542.2462 kJ
• Enthalpy of formation of HNO₃ = 2 mol x -173.2176 kJ/mol = -346.435 kJ
• Enthalpy of formation of BaF₂ = 1 mol x -1171.3108 kJ/mol =-1171.3108 kJ
• Overall enthalpy of formation = -992.06824 kJ + (-542.2462 kJ) – (-346.435 kJ) – (-1171.3108 kJ) = -16.5686 kJ

• Δ_rH˚ = -16.5686 kJ

Is HNO₃ + BaF₂ a complete reaction?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is a complete reaction. If one of the products is continuously removed, the limiting reagent will get completely used up.

Is HNO₃ + BaF₂ an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is an exothermic reaction as the reaction enthalpy is negative.

Δ_rH˚ = -16.5686 kJ

Is HNO₃ + BaF₂ a redox reaction?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is not a redox reaction as neither oxidation nor reduction of atoms takes place.

Is HNO₃ + BaF₂ a precipitation reaction?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is not a precipitation reaction, as neither HF nor Ba(NO₃)₂ precipitates after they are formed in this reaction.

Is HNO₃ + BaF₂ reversible or irreversible reaction?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is a reversible reaction, as the reactants can be formed back from products by removing one of the reactants to drive the reaction backwards.

Is HNO₃ + BaF₂ displacement reaction?

HNO₃ + BaF₂ is a double displacement reaction. F^– and NO₃^– displace each other in this reaction to form Ba(NO₃)₂ and HF.

Conclusion

Ba(NO₃)₂ and HF are the products of this reaction, and both are important compounds in industry. In this article, we have learned some of the facts and characteristics of HNO₃ + BaF₂ reactions.

Hariny Rajadurai

Hi….My name is Hariny Rajadurai. I am a graduate of IISER,
Thiruvananthapuram with an Integrated Master’s in Science. I did my major in Chemistry and minor in Biology. During my degree, I worked in supramolecular chemistry and polymer chemistry. I have worked as a Research Associate at a startup where I worked with polymers. I like to write and explain difficult topics in a simplistic way for my readers.