Answer:
The solutions should be added in this order NaCl > Na2SO4 > Na2S
Explanation:
Silver is insoluble as a chloride, so the silver ions get precipitated on addition of chloride ion as silver chloride. This means Ag+ would be removed the first.
So we will add NaCl in the first step.
The following reaction will occur.
Ag+ + Cl- → AgCl(s)
Both, Pb2 and Ni are soluble as chlorides. (lead chloride is soluble as a hot solution but will ppt when colder).
When we add Na2SO4, Pb2+ will get precipitated (because it's insoluble) as PbSO4 and Ni will remain soluble as NiSO4 is soluble in water.
The reaction that will occur is:
Pb^2+ + SO4^2- → PbSO4(s)
Nickel is insoluble as a sulfide. So when we will add Na2S, nickel will be precipitated as sulfide and be able to separate and be collected.
The solutions should be added in this order NaCl > Na2SO4 > Na2S
