To determine the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) and strontium chloride (SrCl₂), we must ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the reaction equation. Analyzing the given reaction options, let's find out which one is balanced:
1. Option 1: [tex]\( Na_2SO_{4(a q)} + SrCl_{2(a q)} \rightarrow 2 NaCl_{(a q)} + SrSO_{4(s)} \)[/tex]
- Sodium (Na): 2 Na atoms on the left, 2 Na atoms on the right (as 2 NaCl).
- Sulfate group (SO₄): 1 SO₄ group on the left, 1 SO₄ group on the right.
- Strontium (Sr): 1 Sr atom on the left, 1 Sr atom on the right.
- Chlorine (Cl): 2 Cl atoms on the left, 2 Cl atoms on the right (as 2 NaCl).
This equation is balanced.
2. Option 2: [tex]\( Na_2SO_{4(a q)} + SrCl_{2(a q)} \rightarrow NaCl_{(s)} + SrSO_{4(a q)} \)[/tex]
- Sodium (Na): 2 Na atoms on the left, 1 Na atom on the right.
- Sulfate group (SO₄): 1 SO₄ group on the left, 1 SO₄ group on the right.
- Strontium (Sr): 1 Sr atom on the left, 1 Sr atom on the right.
- Chlorine (Cl): 2 Cl atoms on the left, 1 Cl atom on the right.
This equation is not balanced because the number of sodium and chlorine atoms is inconsistent.
3. Option 3: [tex]\( NaSO_{4(a q)} + SrCl_{(a q)} \rightarrow NaCl_{(a q)} + Sr_2SO_{4(a q)} \)[/tex]
- Sodium (Na): 1 Na atom on the left, 1 Na atom on the right.
- Sulfate group (SO₄): 1 SO₄ group on the left, 1 SO₄ group on the right.
- Strontium (Sr): 1 Sr atom on the left, 2 Sr atoms on the right.
- Chlorine (Cl): 1 Cl atom on the left, 1 Cl atom on the right.
This equation is not balanced because the strontium atoms are not balanced.
4. Option 4: [tex]\( NaSO_{4(a q)} + SrCl_{(a q)} \rightarrow NaCl_{(a q)} + SrSO_{4(a q)} \)[/tex]
- Sodium (Na): 1 Na atom on the left, 1 Na atom on the right.
- Sulfate group (SO₄): 1 SO₄ group on the left, 1 SO₄ group on the right.
- Strontium (Sr): 1 Sr atom on the left, 1 Sr atom on the right.
- Chlorine (Cl): 1 Cl atom on the left, 1 Cl atom on the right.
This equation is not balanced because the sulfate compound (NaSO₄) is not correctly formed (it should be Na₂SO₄).
After evaluating all the options, it is clear that Option 1 is the balanced chemical equation:
[tex]\[ \boxed{Na_2SO_{4(a q)} + SrCl_{2(a q)} \rightarrow 2 NaCl_{(a q)} + SrSO_{4(s)}} \][/tex]
