Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between BaI2(aq) and AgNO3(aq)?

• A. BaI2(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → AgI(s) + Ba(NO3)2(aq)
• B. 2BaI2(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) → 2AgI(s) + 2Ba(NO3)2(aq)
• C. BaI2(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) → 2AgI(s) + Ba(NO3)2(aq)
• D. BaI2(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Ag2I2(s) + Ba(NO3)2(aq)

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given reaction: barium iodide (BaI\_2) reacts with silver nitrate (AgNO\_3) to form silver iodide (AgI) and barium nitrate (Ba(NO\_3)\_2).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{BaI\_2(aq) + AgNO\_3(aq) \rightarrow AgI(s) + Ba(NO\_3)\_2(aq)}\).
3. Balance the iodine (I) atoms first. Since BaI\_2 contains 2 iodide ions, you need 2 AgI units to balance the iodide atoms on the product side.
4. Balance the silver (Ag) atoms next. Because you have 2 AgI units, you need 2 AgNO\_3 molecules on the reactant side to supply 2 Ag atoms.
5. Check that barium (Ba) and nitrate (NO\_3) groups are balanced. One BaI\_2 provides 1 Ba atom, which matches 1 Ba(NO\_3)\_2 on the product side, and 2 AgNO\_3 provide 2 nitrate ions, which matches the 2 nitrate ions in Ba(NO\_3)\_2.