Identify the type of reaction: This is a double displacement (metathesis) reaction where the cations and anions of the reactants exchange partners.
Write the formulas of the reactants: Silver sulfate is \(\mathrm{Ag_2SO_4}\) and sodium chloride is \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) in aqueous solution.
Exchange the ions: Silver (\(\mathrm{Ag^+}\)) will pair with chloride (\(\mathrm{Cl^-}\)) to form silver chloride, and sodium (\(\mathrm{Na^+}\)) will pair with sulfate (\(\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}\)) to form sodium sulfate.
Write the formulas of the products: Silver chloride is \(\mathrm{AgCl}\) and sodium sulfate is \(\mathrm{Na_2SO_4}\).
Balance the chemical equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Since silver sulfate has 2 silver ions, you need 2 moles of sodium chloride to produce 2 moles of silver chloride and 1 mole of sodium sulfate. The balanced equation is: \(\mathrm{Ag_2SO_4 (aq) + 2NaCl (aq) \rightarrow 2AgCl (s) + Na_2SO_4 (aq)}\).