Barium carbonate
Barium carbonate is an insoluble barium salt of carbonic acid, even less soluble than barium sulfate. It, however, reacts with acids and can serve as precursor to any barium salt.
Contents
Properties
Physical
White chalk-like powder.
Chemical
Heat causes it to decompose, liberating carbon dioxide and turning into the oxide BaO.
It reacts will all acids, resulting in barium salts and carbon dioxide.
Preparation
Barium carbonate is prepared from barium sulfate by lengthy boiling under reflux with sodium carbonate. This reaction is sometimes called the Curie reaction, because Marie Curie prepared radium carbonate the same way.
The reaction is very long.
Projects
- Anything having to do with barium
Handling
Safety
Barium carbonate is safe unless ingested. Upon ingestion, it is acutely poisonous.
Storage
It can be stored anywhere. But places that may have acidic vapors are best avoided.
Disposal
To neutralize barium carbonate, use sulfuric acid. The resulting inert barium sulfate can be dumped anywhere.
