How to Determine the Mass Percent of Sulfate in an Unknown Salt?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on determining the mass percent of sulfate in an unknown soluble sulfate salt using a 0.20 M BaCl2 solution. The procedure involves precipitating barium sulfate (BaSO4) from the reaction of sulfate ions (SO42-) with BaCl2, as BaSO4 is insoluble and forms a precipitate. Key calculations include measuring the mass of the precipitate and using stoichiometry to find the mass percent of sulfate. The discussion also addresses the suitability of using 0.20 M MgCl2 as a substitute for BaCl2, emphasizing the importance of understanding solubility rules.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stoichiometry and mass percent calculations
  • Familiarity with precipitation reactions and solubility rules
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment such as scales, beakers, and graduated cylinders
  • Basic chemistry concepts, including ionic compounds and their reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the solubility of barium sulfate (BaSO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4)
  • Learn about mass percent calculations in chemistry
  • Study precipitation reactions and their applications in quantitative analysis
  • Explore laboratory techniques for measuring and analyzing precipitates
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and laboratory technicians involved in quantitative analysis and precipitation reactions in chemistry experiments.

djdevine19
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Hey, I have a worksheet due tomorrow for my chem class and it includes #9 from the 1997 FR AP Chem Test. I can't figure it out! Any help would be appreciated!
Here goes:
An experiment is to be performed to determine the mass percent of sulfate in an unknown soluble sulfate salt. The equiptment available is: a scale, a funnel, a grad cylinder, a ringstand, a beaker, a stirring rod .20 M BaCl2, Unknown sulfate salt, and a drying oven.
a) Explain a procedure to carry this out.
b) What experimental data needs to be collected to calculate the mass percent of sulfate in the unknown
c) List the calculations necessary to determine the mass percent of sulfate in the unknown
d) Would .2 M MgCl2 be an acceptable subsitsute for the BaCl2 solution provided for this experiment? Explain.

Thanks!
 
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even if you can't figure it all out, give it a try and tell us what you think is needed here and we'll help you along
 
dude, do you think i didn't TRY to do the problem? that's why I'm asking the question... because i can't do it. If i could then I wouldn't need your help...
 
Last edited:
djdevine19 said:
dude, do you think i didn't TRY to do the problem? that's why I'm asking the question... because i can't do it. If i could then I wouldn't need your help...

calm down, just make a guess atleast what you should do. then we can look at your work and make corrections. So, show us an attempt, doesn't have to be a correct one. I know you really want a solution, but I promise you, you will remember this problem better and have a better understanding of the nature of its inner workings if you attempt to work it out whether or not it is correct and have us look at it and give you hints and suggestions or corrections.
 
Last edited:
djdevine19 said:
An experiment is to be performed to determine the mass percent of sulfate in an unknown soluble sulfate salt. The equiptment available is: a scale, a funnel, a grad cylinder, a ringstand, a beaker, a stirring rod .20 M BaCl2, Unknown sulfate salt, and a drying oven.
a) Explain a procedure to carry this out.
b) What experimental data needs to be collected to calculate the mass percent of sulfate in the unknown
c) List the calculations necessary to determine the mass percent of sulfate in the unknown
d) Would .2 M MgCl2 be an acceptable subsitsute for the BaCl2 solution provided for this experiment? Explain.

Thanks!

You need to know that SO4(-2) + BaCl2 ==> BaSO4 + 2Cl(-2)
and that Barium Sulfate is insoluble, therefore is a precipitate.

I'm not sure about the solubility of MgSO4. Check a handbook or solubility rules in your textbook.
 
Thanks man!
 
just trying to follow the rules...

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=94384
 

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