gravimetric analysis, a method of quantitative 

chemical analysis in
which the constituent sought is converted into a substance (of known
composition) that can be separated from the sample and weighed. The
steps commonly followed in gravimetric analysis are (1) preparation of
a solution containing a known weight of the sample, (2) separation of the
desired constituent, (3) weighing the isolated constituent, and (4)
computation of the amount of the particular constituent in the sample from
the observed weight of the isolated substance.
types
The four main types of this method of analysis are precipitation, volatilization, electro-
analytical and miscellaneous physical method. The methods involve changing the phase
of the analyte to separate it in its pure form from the original mixture and are quantitative
measurements.
principle

Principle of Gravimetric analysisThe analysis is based on the estimation of the mass percent of an ion
in an impure compound of an acknowledged amount via a manner of determining the mass of the
equal ion in a natural compound. For you to decide the mass, the ion of the hobby wishes to be
absolutely isolated. This isolation of ions is completed with the assistance of
precipitation.  Commonplace steps observed in the gravimetric analysis are:training of a solution
with the aid of the usage of an acknowledged weight of the sample analyte.Separation of the
preferred ion/element/radical in pure forms by using diverse separation methodsAfter the ion has
been separated, the amount of the natural insoluble compound is formed.Calculating the value of
the person component of interest, primarily based on the weight of the compound observed. 

steps

(1) preparation of a solution containing a known weight of the sample, (2)

separation of the desired constituent, (3) weighing the isolated constituent,
and (4) computation of the amount of the particular constituent in the
sample from the observed weight of the isolated substance.

The most commonly used method that is employed for isolating the desired constituent from a
solution of a sample, is precipitation—that is, transformation into a substance that is not soluble in
the solution. A reagent is added that forms an insoluble compound with the desired constituent but
which will not precipitate other constituents of the sample. The precipitate obtained is separated by
filtration, washed free of soluble impurities, dried in a desiccator or oven, or ignited to remove
moisture, and then weighed. Certain substances can be separated easily because of their property,
which is easy convertibility into gaseous compounds. This can be seen in the determination of
carbonate in mineral analysis. The sample is treated with an acid, and carbon dioxide is evolved as a
gas. The gas is absorbed on a weighed quantity of a solid alkaline reagent, and the amount of carbon
dioxide can be determined from the increases in weight of the absorbent. The method of
Electrodeposition is used in order to separate certain metals that can be plated out by passing an
electric current through a solution of their salts. Copper in alloys can be determined using this
method as long as the sample is free from another type of metal. To carry out an accurate
gravimetric analysis, the following conditions must be met: 

The ion being examined should be totally precipitated.

The precipitate must be a pure compound.

The precipitate must be easily filtered.

Steps to Perform Gravimetric Analysis

 Take the pattern analyte and place it in a weighing bottle. without a lid
on, let the sample within the weighing bottle dry in an oven and later
cool it in a desiccator.
 After the sample has been absolutely dried and cooled, take a
recognized amount of the sample and dissolve it in water.
 Of the numerous techniques available for the separation of the ion from
the sample, the most generally implemented technique is precipitation.
add a precipitating agent to the answer of the sample such that it'll form
an insoluble complex with the ion of interest and go away the rest inside
the soluble state.
 Optionally, the answer also can be heated to increase the scale of the
insoluble complex for the benefit of filtration. This process is known as
digestion.
 In order to test if the digestion has completed, add some drops of the
precipitating agent and check if the insoluble complex remains being
formed at the tip of the drop. The reason for acting this step is to make
certain that all the ions of interest present inside the sample were
induced and nothing is left in the back of.
 using a Buchner’s funnel, filter the solution containing the insoluble
precipitate beneath a vacuum.
 carry out more than one washing of the usage of the beaker containing
the solution to ensure that no residue is left on the walls of the beaker.
 After all the precipitation has accumulated onto the clear out paper,
keep it for drying.
 make certain to dry the product absolutely to get accurate results.
 As soon as it is dried, weigh the product and, by way of the use of the
stoichiometry of the reaction, determine the mass of the ion formed.
  This value of mass acquired by using calculation can in addition be
computed to decide the mass of the equal ion in the unknown sample.

If Pb²⁺ had been used to precipitate the chloride, the computation would be
required to be modified to report for the fact that each mole off PbCl₂
comprises of two moles of chloride. The lead might not be a fine precipitating
reagent, though, because PbCl₂ is somewhat soluble and therefore, rather
than in the precipitate, a small amount of chloride would remain in solution. 
 
To conclude, the gravimetric analysis has advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Gravimetric Method
1. It is precise and accurate when using modern analytical balance.
2. The possible sources of error can be readily checked as filtrates can be
tested for completeness of precipitation and precipitates might be
scrutinized for the existence of impurities.
3. It is an absolute method; it only involves direct measurement without
any form of calibration.
4. The determination could be carried out with relatively inexpensive
apparatus; the most expensive items are platinum crucibles and muffle
furnace. 
5. Gravimetric analysis can also be used to determine the atomic masses
of many elements up to the extent of six-figure accuracy.

6. Gravimetry provides only very little room for instrumental error and it
also does not require a series of standards for calculating the unknown.

7.
8.

The Disadvantage of Gravimetric Method:

1. The chief disadvantage of this method is that it is very time-consuming.
2. The chemist in today's world prefers other methods over this method.
3. The gravimetric analysis, in general, can provide analysis of a single
element, or a limited group of elements, at a time.
4. techniques are regularly convoluted and a minor misstep in a procedure
can often mean tragedy for the analysis (colloid formation in
precipitation gravimetry, for example).
5. Measurement of mass is the basis of gravimetric analysis.
What is weighing in gravimetric analysis?
Gravimetric methods are based on weighing the mass using analytical scales, an
instrument which gives a more precise, accurate reading than any other procedure
or analytical technique.

General Calculation of the Percent By Mass of Analyte in a Sample:

Follow these 5 steps to calculate the percent by mass of analyte in the sample
using the results of the gravimetric analysis experiment:

1. Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation for the precipitation

reaction
2. Step 2: Calculate the moles of precipitate: moles = mass ÷ molar mass
3. Step 3: Calculate moles of analyte from the balanced chemical equation
using the mole ratio of analyte : precipitate (mole ratio also known as the
stoichiometric ratio of analyte to precipitate)
4. Step 4:v Calculate mass of analyte: mass = moles × molar mass
5. Step 5: Calculate percent by mass of analyte in sample: (mass analyte ÷
mass sample) × 100

What is Coprecipitation?

Coprecipitation is a type of precipitation where soluble compounds in a solution are

removed during the course of precipitation. There are three major types of
coprecipitation methods. These are the surface adsorption, mixed crystal formation, and
mechanical entrapment.

Surface adsorption refers to the formation of the precipitate of the undesired compound
on the precipitate of the desirable compound as an adsorption process. For example, the
formation of coagulated colloids; in the reaction between silver nitrate and sodium
chloride, the desribale product is the silver chloride precipitate. Here, silver ions form
precipitates with other ions present in the solution.

Mixed crystal formation is another type of coprecipitation where the contaminated ion is
replaced by an ion-containing crystal. For example, in the precipitation of barium sulfate
from barium chloride, coprecipitation of lead sulfate also occurs if the solution contains
lead ions. In mechanical entrapment method, undesirable ions get entrapped in the
voids of the precipitate that is being formed.

What is Post Precipitation?

Post precipitation is a type of precipitation where the precipitation of the undesirable

compound occurs after the formation of the precipitate of the desirable compound. This
type of precipitation occurs on the surface of the first precipitate. For example, the
formation of calcium oxalate after the precipitation of magnesium oxalate.

What are the applications of gravimetric analysis?

In analytical chemistry, gravimetric analysis is a way of determining the analyte quantity based
on the density of a solid. Example: Measuring the solids suspended in the water sample. The
collected solids are weighed until a known water volume is purified.

uses

Gravimetric analysis is used to determine the chemical composition of rocks, minerals, and alloys and 
for quality control of raw materials and finished products in a number of branches of industry. Among t
he various kinds of gravimetric analysis are assay and electrochemical analysis