Select the correct answer.

Which chemical equation represents a precipitation reaction?

A. [tex] MgBr_2 + 2 HCl \rightarrow MgCl_2 + 2 HBr [/tex]
B. [tex] K_2CO_3 + PbCl_2 \rightarrow 2 KCl + PbCO_3 [/tex]
C. [tex] 4 LiC_2H_3O_2 + TiBr_4 \rightarrow 4 LiBr + Ti(C_2H_3O_2)_4 [/tex]
D. [tex] 2 NH_4NO_3 + CuCl_2 \rightarrow 2 NH_4Cl + Cu(NO_3)_2 [/tex]



Answer :

To determine which chemical equation represents a precipitation reaction, we must identify the reaction where an insoluble solid (precipitate) forms. Let's analyze each option:

Option A:
[tex]\[ \text{MgBr}_2 + 2 \text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{MgCl}_2 + 2 \text{HBr} \][/tex]
In this reaction, all products (MgCl₂ and HBr) are soluble in water, so no precipitate forms.

Option B:
[tex]\[ \text{K}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{PbCl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{KCl} + \text{PbCO}_3 \][/tex]
In this reaction, potassium chloride (KCl) is soluble in water, but lead(II) carbonate (PbCO₃) is not soluble in water and thus forms a precipitate.

Option C:
[tex]\[ 4 \text{LiC}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2 + \text{TiBr}_4 \rightarrow 4 \text{LiBr} + \text{Ti}( \text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2)_4 \][/tex]
All products (LiBr and the complex Ti(C₂H₃O₂)₄) are soluble in water, so no precipitate forms.

Option D:
[tex]\[ 2 \text{NH}_4\text{NO}_3 + \text{CuCl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NH}_4\text{Cl} + \text{Cu}( \text{NO}_3)_2 \][/tex]
All products (NH₄Cl and Cu(NO₃)₂) are soluble in water, so no precipitate forms.

After examining all the options, only Option B:
[tex]\[ \text{K}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{PbCl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{KCl} + \text{PbCO}_3 \][/tex]
results in the formation of an insoluble solid, lead(II) carbonate (PbCO₃), which precipitates out of the solution.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

B. [tex]\( \text{K}_2\text{CO}_3 + \text{PbCl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{KCl} + \text{PbCO}_3 \)[/tex]