What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) to form barium phosphate (Ba3(PO4)2) and water (H2O)?

• A. 3 H3PO4 + 2 Ba(OH)2 → Ba3(PO4)2 + 3 H2O
• B. 2 H3PO4 + 3 Ba(OH)2 → Ba3(PO4)2 + 6 H2O
• C. H3PO4 + Ba(OH)2 → Ba3(PO4)2 + H2O
• D. 2 H3PO4 + Ba(OH)2 → Ba3(PO4)2 + 2 H2O

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. The reactants are phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2), and the products are barium phosphate (Ba3(PO4)2) and water (H2O).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas of the reactants and products: $H_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4+{\mathrm{Ba}}_{\left(}2\to {\mathrm{Ba}}_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4+H_{2}O$
3. Balance the barium (Ba) atoms. There are 3 Ba atoms in barium phosphate, so you need 3 Ba(OH)2 molecules on the reactant side: $3{\mathrm{Ba}}_{\left(}2$
4. Balance the phosphate (PO4) groups. There are 2 PO4 groups in barium phosphate, so you need 2 H3PO4 molecules on the reactant side: $2H_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4$
5. Balance the water (H2O) molecules. There are 6 OH groups from 3 Ba(OH)2 molecules, so you need 6 H2O molecules on the product side: $6H_{2}O$