15 Facts on HCl + Pb(NO3)2: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Lead Nitrate (II) [Pb(NO3)2] is an important inorganic compound with a colourless crystalline appearance. Let us see how Pb(NO3)2 reacts with a strong acid HCl:

Pb(NO3)2 can be obtained by reacting lead (II) oxide with a concentrated nitric acid solution. The lead (II) nitrate crystal structure is the face-centered cubic system. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that easily dissociates into ions and is a corrosive chemical that must be handled with care.

This article will discuss facts on HCl and Pb(NO3)2 reactions, reaction enthalpy, precipitation process and steps to balance their chemical equation.

What is the product of HCl and Pb(NO3)2

Lead (II) chloride (PbCl2) and nitric acid (HNO3) are the products formed during the reaction. The chemical equation for the given reaction can be written as follows:

Pb(NO3)2 + HCl = PbCl2 + HNO3

What type of reaction is HCl + Pb(NO3)2

Pb(NO3)2 + HCl is a double displacement reaction. Here, Pb2+ displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid and the proton released combines with the nitrite molecule to form nitric acid.

How to balance HCl + Pb(NO3)2

The steps taking part in balancing the chemical equation are as follows:

  • The general chemical equation of HCl and Pb(NO3)2 is as follows:
  • Pb(NO3)2 + HCl = PbCl2 + HNO3
  • The number of hydrogen and chlorine atoms present on the reactant side is not the same as on the product side. To balance the equation, we can add a coefficient of 2 with HCl on the left side and a coefficient of 2 with nitric acid on the right side.
  • After balancing the number of hydrogens, chlorine and nitrites, the balanced chemical equation is
  • Pb(NO3)2 + 2HCl = PbCl2 + 2HNO3

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 titration

Titration of HCl with Pb(NO3)2 is not feasible. HCl is a strong acid and Lead nitrate also has an acidic character, so no indication of the end-point is not possible in this case.

HCL + Pb(NO3)2 net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for the reaction between HCl and Pb(NO3)2 is:

Pb2+ (aq.) + 2Cl (aq.) = PbCl2 (s)

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 net equation can be calculated as;

  • Wrote the balanced general molecular equation.
  • Pb(NO3)2 + 2HCl = PbCl2 + 2HNO3
  • Mentioned the states of each compound, i.e., solid, liquid, gas or aqueous solution.
  • Pb(NO3)2 (aq.) + 2HCl (aq.) = PbCl2 (s) + 2HNO3. (aq.)
  • Soluble compounds soluble to be broken into their ionic forms.
  • Pb2+ (aq.) + 2NO3 (aq.) + 2H+ (aq.) + 2Cl (aq.) = PbCl2 (s) + 2NO3 (aq.) + 2H+ (aq.)
  • Canceling out the ions which are present on both sides.
  • Pb2+ (aq.) + 2Cl (aq.) = PbCl2 (s)

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 conjugate pairs

The pair of HCl and Pb(NO3)2 itself have no conjugate pairs because HCl is a very strong acid and there should be always present a weak acid with its conjugate base.

HCl and Pb(NO3)2 intermolecular forces

Intermolecular forces for the HCl + Pb(NO3)2 reaction are as follows:

  • Both ionic and covalent bonds are present in Pb(NO3)2, as nitrogen and oxygen are non-metals, whereas lead is a metal.
  • The forces between HCl molecules are dipole-dipole and London-dispersion.
  • In the case of PbCl2, Pb is a metal and Cl is a non-metal; therefore, bonding between them will be ionic.
  • Intermolecular forces of HNO3 are same as in the case of HCl.
MoleculesIntermolecular Forces
Reactants – 1. HCl
2. Pb(NO3)2
1. Dipole-dipole interaction
2. London-dispersion forces
3. Ionic and Covalent bonds
Products – 1. PbCl2
2. HNO3
1. Ionic bonds
2. Dipole-dipole interaction
3. London-dispersion forces
Intermolecular forces between molecules

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 reaction enthalpy

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 reaction enthalpy is -27.9 kJ/mol. The enthalpy of reaction can be calculated by subtracting enthalpy of the formation of reactants from enthalpy of the formation of products.

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 a buffer solution

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 is not a buffer solution as HCl is a strong acid and the pH of the solution cannot be maintained if more acid is added to the solution.

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 a complete reaction

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 is a complete reaction and no further steps are involved.

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 reaction is exothermic reaction because the enthalpy of reaction for the above reaction has a negative value and heat will be released during the process.

Screenshot 20221118 171507 2
Exothermic reaction graph

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 a redox reaction

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 is not a redox reaction, as there is no change in the oxidation states of the atoms throughout the reaction.

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 a precipitation reaction

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 is precipitation reaction where white lead (II) chloride precipitates are formed when HCl reacts with Pb(NO3)2.

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 reversible or irreversible reaction

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 is irreversible reaction as the white precipitates of lead (II) chloride formed during the process cannot be dissolved back, irrespective of how much we increase the temperature of the solution.

Is HCl + Pb(NO3)2 displacement reaction

HCl + Pb(NO3)2 is a double displacement reaction where lead displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid to form lead chloride (II) and hydrogen gets bonded with nitrite molecule to produce nitric acid.

Conclusion:

Hydrochloric acid being strong acid reacts with lead nitrate to form white cloudy precipitates of lead chloride. The precipitates settle down over time and separate from the Nitric acid solution.