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.
Elements Reactant side Product side
Hydrogen (H) 1 1
Nitrogen (N) 1 2
Oxygen (O) 3 6
Barium (Ba) 1 1
Fluorine (F) 2 1
Table-1 for count of atoms
  • 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.
Elements Reactant side Product side
Hydrogen (H) 1 2
Nitrogen (N) 1 2
Oxygen (O) 3 6
Barium (Ba) 1 1
Fluorine (F) 2 2
Table-2 for count of atoms
  • 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.
Elements Reactant side Product side
Hydrogen (H) 2 2
Nitrogen (N) 2 2
Oxygen (O) 6 6
Barium (Ba) 1 1
Fluorine (F) 2 2
Table-3 for count of atoms
  • 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
  • ΔrH˚ = -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.

ΔrH˚ = -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.