Question

You know that an unlabeled bottle contains an aqueous solution of one of the following: AgNO3, KCl, or (NH4)2SO4. A friend suggests that you test a portion of the solution with Ba(NO3)2 and then with NaCl solutions. Explain how these two tests together would be sufficient to determine which salt is present in the solution.

Answer 1

Answer:

These tests determine the solubility of the compounds formed upon adding the test solution

Explanation:

Addition of Ba(NO₃)₂ will cause a precipitate ((Ba)₂SO₄) to form in the solution of (NH₄)₂SO₄. No precipitates will form in the other unknown solutions. Thus, whether or not the solution is ammonium sulfate can be determined.

Addition of NaCl solution will cause a precipitate (AgCl) to form in the solution of AgNO₃. No precipitates will form in the other unknown solutions. Thus, whether or not the solution is silver nitrate can be determined.

If no precipitates form, then the unknown solution must be KCl.