What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂)?

• A. HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)₂(aq) → BaCl₂(aq) + H₂O(l)
• B. 2HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)₂(aq) → BaCl₂(aq) + 2H₂O(l)
• C. HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)₂(aq) → BaCl₂(aq) + 2H₂O(l)
• D. 2HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)₂(aq) → BaCl₂(aq) + H₂(g)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical equation: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂) are the reactants, while barium chloride (BaCl₂) and water (H₂O) are the products.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)₂(aq) → BaCl₂(aq) + H₂O(l).
3. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Initially, you have 1 Ba, 2 Cl, 2 O, and 2 H on the reactant side, and 1 Ba, 2 Cl, 1 O, and 2 H on the product side.
4. Balance the equation by adjusting coefficients. Start by balancing the number of hydrogen atoms. Since there are 2 OH groups in Ba(OH)₂, you need 2 HCl molecules to provide 2 H atoms for each OH group, resulting in 2 H₂O molecules.
5. Write the balanced equation: 2HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)₂(aq) → BaCl₂(aq) + 2H₂O(l). Ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation.