barium chloride
C1Technical, Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A chemical compound with the formula BaCl₂, a white crystalline salt.
A water-soluble, toxic salt of barium used as a precursor to other barium compounds, in water treatment, and in various industrial and laboratory applications.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound noun naming a specific chemical substance. It is non-count. In everyday speech, it is seldom used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Pronunciation differs slightly (/ˈbɛːrɪəm/ vs /ˈberiəm/). Spelling and usage are identical as it is a technical term.
Connotations
No difference in connotation. It is a precise scientific term.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in scientific contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Barium chloride] is added to [solution].The [solution] was tested for [sulphates] using [barium chloride].[Barium chloride] reacts with [sulphuric acid].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Only relevant in specific industries like chemical manufacturing or water treatment supply.
Academic
Common in chemistry textbooks, lab manuals, and research papers in inorganic and analytical chemistry.
Everyday
Virtually never used. An average speaker might encounter it in a safety warning label.
Technical
The primary register. Used precisely in laboratory procedures, industrial processes, and safety data sheets.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Barium chloride is a chemical used in laboratories.
- The lab technician prepared a solution of barium chloride for the sulphate test.
- Because barium chloride is toxic, it must be handled with great care.
- The precipitation of barium sulphate was initiated by adding an aliquot of aqueous barium chloride to the acidified sample.
- Industrial effluent treatment sometimes employs barium chloride for sulphate removal, though environmental concerns limit its use.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Barium' (like the element Ba) + 'Chloride' (like chlorine/bleach) = a salty compound from these two.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly technical term, typically not metaphorized).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as "хлористый барий" in formal English contexts; use the direct English term "barium chloride" even when thinking in Russian.
- The word order is fixed: 'barium' first, then 'chloride'.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing 'barium' as /bəˈraɪəm/ (incorrect stress).
- Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a barium chloride').
- Confusing it with 'barium sulfate' or 'barium meal' in medical contexts.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary hazard associated with barium chloride?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, barium chloride is toxic and can be harmful if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Proper safety equipment (gloves, goggles) should always be used.
Its main uses are in laboratories as a reagent for testing sulphate ions, in the manufacture of other barium compounds, in steel hardening, and in water treatment to remove sulphates.
Yes, barium chloride is highly soluble in water.
Barium chloride (BaCl₂) is soluble and toxic. Barium sulfate (BaSO₄) is insoluble and non-toxic, which is why it is used as a contrast agent in medical X-rays (barium meal).