Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between aqueous strontium chloride and aqueous lithium phosphate to form solid strontium phosphate and aqueous lithium chloride?

• A. 2SrCl2(aq) + 3Li3PO4(aq) → 2Sr3(PO4)2(s) + 3LiCl(aq)
• B. 3SrCl2(aq) + 2Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + 6LiCl(aq)
• C. 3SrCl2(aq) + Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + 3LiCl(aq)
• D. SrCl2(aq) + Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + LiCl(aq)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. The reactants are aqueous strontium chloride (SrCl2) and aqueous lithium phosphate (Li3PO4). The products are solid strontium phosphate (Sr3(PO4)2) and aqueous lithium chloride (LiCl).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas of the reactants and products: SrCl2(aq) + Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + LiCl(aq).
3. Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Start by balancing the strontium (Sr) atoms. Since there are 3 Sr atoms in Sr3(PO4)2, you need 3 SrCl2 molecules on the reactant side: 3SrCl2(aq) + Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + LiCl(aq).
4. Next, balance the lithium (Li) atoms. There are 6 Li atoms in 2 Li3PO4 molecules, so you need 6 LiCl molecules on the product side: 3SrCl2(aq) + 2Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + 6LiCl(aq).
5. Finally, check the balance of chlorine (Cl) atoms. There are 6 Cl atoms in 3 SrCl2 molecules, which matches the 6 Cl atoms in 6 LiCl molecules. The balanced equation is: 3SrCl2(aq) + 2Li3PO4(aq) → Sr3(PO4)2(s) + 6LiCl(aq).