Barium Hydroxide: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Barium Oxide's chemical formula is interesting because of the chemical formula of Barium Hydroxide. Barium Hydroxide is made up of barium and hydroxide. So, technically speaking, Ba should be the formula (OH). Then, why do we write the formula of Barium Hydroxide as  Ba(OH)2? This is because there are two positive ions of Barium and a negative one in hydroxide. So, we add another hydroxide to Barium Hydroxide and render it neutral to demonstrate Barium as a neutral compound.

The properties of Barium Hydroxide are as follows: 

• Molar Mass

The molar mass of Barium Hydroxide is 171.344g/mol

• Melting Point

The melting point of Barium Hydroxide varies according to the amount of water it contains. Barium oxide's octahydrate phase melts at 78 degrees Celsius. At 300 degrees Celsius, the monohydrate phase melts, and the anhydrous form melts at 407 degrees Celsius

• Solubility

Barium Hydroxide is only partially soluble in water

• Boiling Point

Barium Hydroxide boils at 780 degrees Celsius. It would decompose and give out barium oxide if you manage to boil it. For this, the temperature should exceed 800 degrees Celsius.

• Barium Hydroxide lime is popularly used as an alternative to soda lime. The compound is present in high concentration in sevoflurane
• It is used to produce alkalis, glass, oil and grease additives, barium soaps, and other barium compounds

Barium Hydroxide in Class 11:

In the p-block elements chapter, you will learn about barium and its compounds. The weightage of this chapter is 5-6 marks in class 11.

Illustrated Examples:

• What is the molecular mass of Barium Hydroxide?

Mass of Barium = 137.33 gm/mol

Mass of Oxygen = 16g/mol  = 32gm because of 2 moles

Mass of Hydrogen = 1g/mol = 2gm because of 2 moles

Adding all of these = 171.33 gm/mol

• How is the preparation of barium hydroxide done?

Usually, barium hydroxide is made in water by dissolving barium oxide (chemical formula: BaO). The chemical equation is given below for this reaction:

BaO + 9 H2O → Ba(OH)2·8H2O

• Find the pH level of a 0.10 M solution of Barium Hydroxide.

Solution: 

Ba(OH)2 (s) →Ba2++ 2OH−

The solution will have 0.20 M of hydroxide ions

[H+][OH−]=1.0×10−14M

[OH−]=2.0×10−1M

[H+]=5.0×10−14M

pH = −log10([H+]=5.0×10−14) = 13.30

Q. Is Barium Hydroxide a base or an acid?

Q. Is Barium Hydroxide aqueous?

Q. What's the charge on Ba(OH)2?

Q. Which base is the strongest?

Q. What is the chemical name of Barium Hydroxide?