Chemistry 6092

Worksheet – Salt Preparation

Name : ……………………………………… ( ) Class : ………… Date : …………

1 Which of the following compounds of sulfate is least soluble in water?

A ammonium sulfate
B barium sulfate
C magnesium sulfate
D potassium sulfate
( B )

2 Which salt is best prepared by a titration method?

A copper(II) sulfate
B magnesium sulfate
C sodium nitrate
D zinc nitrate
( C )

3 Which one of the following substances is the least satisfactory for preparing a sample of
crystalline magnesium sulfate by reaction with dilute sulfuric acid?

A magnesium carbonate
B magnesium metal
C magnesium nitrate
D magnesium oxide
( C )

4 Which one of the following pairs consists of substances that produce a precipitate when
their aqueous solutions are mixed?

A barium nitrate, silver nitrate

B sodium chloride, barium nitrate
C sodium nitrate, silver sulfate
D sodium sulfate, barium chloride
( D )

5 How can lead(II) sulfate best be prepared from lead(II) oxide?

A by adding dilute sulfuric acid

B by adding sodium sulfate solution
C by adding dilute nitric acid followed by dilute sulfuric acid
D by heating with sulfur until there is no further action
( C )

1
6 Five students each dissolved an indigestion tablet in 100 cm3 of water. They then
titrated 25.0 cm3 of their solutions with dilute hydrochloric acid, using the same
indicator.

The results are shown in the table.

Student number 1 2 3 4 5
3
Titration value/cm 20.4 20.5 20.4 20.6 22.0

Which statement could explain the result obtained by student number 5?

A The burette was washed out with hydrochloric acid.

B The pipette was washed out with the tablet solution.
C The student measured to the top of the meniscus in the pipette.
D The titration flask was washed out with the tablet solution.
( D )

7 Suggest explanations for the following observations

(a) When dilute sulfuric acid is exactly neutralised by aqueous sodium hydroxide the
resulting mixture is a very good conductor of electricity.

Dilute sulfuric acid reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form sodium sulfate,
which is a soluble salt.

Sodium sulfate dissolves and dissociates in water to form a high concentration of

mobile ions (sodium and sulfate ions), which can act as charge carriers to conduct
electricity.
[2]

(b) When dilute sulfuric acid is exactly neutralised by aqueous barium hydroxide the
resulting mixture is a very poor conductor of electricity.

Dilute sulfuric acid reacts with aqueous barium hydroxide to form barium sulfate,
which is an insoluble salt.

The ions in barium sulfate are held in fixed positions in a giant ionic lattice
structure and cannot move to conduct electricity. There is a low concentration of
ions present from water.
[2]

2
8 (a) Aqueous sodium chloride can be prepared in the laboratory by titrating aqueous
sodium hydroxide with dilute hydrochloric acid.

(i) Write a balanced chemical equation, with state symbols, for the reaction.

NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) 🡪 NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

[1m – balanced chemical equation, 1m – state symbols] [2]

(ii Name the two pieces of apparatus used to accurately measure the volumes of
) the solutions used in this titration.

Burette and pipette [2]

(b) A suitable indicator that can be used to find the volumes of acid and alkali that react
together is methyl orange. What are the colours in the respective medium.
Acid Neutral Alkaline
Colour red orange yellow

[2]

9 Silver chloride, AgCl, is a white insoluble salt. It can be prepared by precipitation method.

(a) Name two aqueous solutions which on mixing will produce a precipitate of silver
chloride.

aqueous silver nitrate AND aqueous sodium chloride / hydrochloric acid (or any Group
1 chloride solution) [2]

(b) Construct an ionic equation, with state symbols, for the reaction.

Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq) 🡪 AgCl (s)

[1m – ionic equation, 1m – state symbols] [2]

(c) What three steps are required to obtain a pure dry sample of the silver chloride
precipitate from the mixture in (a)?

1. Filter the mixture to obtain the residue, which is silver chloride.

2. Wash residue with large amounts of distilled water
3. Dry between sheets of filter papers
[3]

3
10 Below is a student’s account of how he prepared sodium nitrate crystals using the titration
method by reacting an acid and an alkali.

There are 5 mistakes in his account.

The burette is filled with nitric acid to the 50.0 cm3 mark. A pipette is used to measure 20.0
cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution which was then added into a beaker. Methyl orange was
added to this alkali and the mixture turned red. The alkali was titrated with the acid until the
indicator just turned to orange colour. The volume of the acid was recorded. The experiment
was repeated using the exact volume of acid for neutralization but this time another
indicator was used. The final acidic salt solution was placed in an evaporating dish and
heated till it is saturated (1/3 its original volume). The hot saturated solution was allowed to
cool. The crystals formed were filtered, washed with cold distilled water and dried between
filter papers.

(a) Correct the 5 mistakes recorded.

● The burette is filled with nitric acid to the 0.00 cm3 mark.
● A pipette is used to measure 25.0 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution which was
then added into a conical flask.
● Methyl orange was added to this alkali and the mixture turned yellow.
● The experiment was repeated using the exact volume of acid for neutralization
but this time without any indicator.
● The final neutral salt solution was placed in an evaporating dish
[5]

(b) Write a balanced chemical equation to represent the reaction.

HNO3 + NaOH 🡪 NaNO3 + H2O [1]

11 Instructions for preparing hydrated crystals of magnesium sulfate are given below.

Add one spatula full of magnesium carbonate to 50 cm3 of dilute sulfuric acid. When it has
reacted, add further amounts until no more solid can dissolve. Then filter the mixture.
Evaporate the filtrate to about 1/3 of its original volume. Allow the filtrate to cool. Filter off
the crystals. Wash the crystals with cold distilled water. Dry them on the filter paper. Do not
heat the crystals.

4
 (a) Explain the importance of the five instructions which are underlined.

no more solid can dissolve: ensures all the sulfuric acid has reacted
filter the mixture: to remove the excess magnesium carbonate
about 1/3 of its original volume: to ensure the filtrate is saturated
filtrate to cool: to allow crystals to form
do not heat the crystals: to ensure the crystals do not decompose and lose
their water of crystallisation

[5]

(b) Write a balanced chemical equation to represent the above reaction.

MgCO3 + H2SO4 🡪 MgSO4 + CO2 + H2O [1]

(c) Give a test to identify the gas produced in the reaction above.

Bubble the gas through limewater. A white precipitate will be formed in the limewater,
showing that carbon dioxide is present.
[2]

(d) Name 2 substances, other than magnesium carbonate, which can react with dilute
sulfuric acid to form magnesium sulfate.

magnesium / magnesium oxide / magnesium hydroxide (any two) [2]

Challenging Questions

12 In an attempt to produce a pure sample of calcium sulfate, a student added excess calcium
carbonate to a fixed volume of dilute sulfuric acid. He found that his method did not yield a pure
sample.

(a) Explain why he was unsuccessful and state the method he should have used to prepare
the salt.

Dilute sulfuric acid reacts with calcium carbonate to form insoluble calcium sulfate,
which coats over calcium carbonate, preventing further reaction from taking place,
resulting in an impure salt.

5
 He should have used precipitation. [2]

(b) Outline how you would prepare a pure, dry sample of calcium sulfate. Name the reactants
you would use. Write an ionic equation for the reaction.

1. React aqueous calcium nitrate (or any soluble calcium salts) and aqueous
sodium sulfate (or any soluble sulfate salts) together and stir the mixture well.
2. An insoluble precipitate, calcium sulfate is formed.
3. Filter the mixture to obtain the residue.
4. Wash the residue with large amounts of distilled water.
5. Dry the residue between sheets of filter papers.

Ionic equation: Ca2+ + SO42- 🡪 CaSO4

[4]

(c) A student accidentally contaminated a sample of calcium sulfate with a small quantity of
calcium carbonate. Describe how you would obtain a pure dry sample of calcium sulfate
from the mixture.

1. Add excess dilute nitric acid (or hydrochloric acid) to the mixture to react
away all the calcium carbonate. [Note: dilute sulfuric acid cannot be added]
2. Filter the mixture to obtain the residue.
3. Wash the residue with large amounts of distilled water.
4. Dry the residue between sheets of filter papers.
[3]

SCGS Prelim 2005

13 The graph shows conductivity changes when sodium hydroxide solution is added to aqueous
ethanoic acid (CH3COOH).

6
 (a) Explain the low conductivity value at S

Ethanoic acid is a weak acid which dissolves and dissociates partially in water to
form a low concentration of mobile ions. [1]

(b) Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols for the reaction
between aqueous ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide solution.

CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) 🡪 CH3COONa(aq) + H2O(l)

[1m – balanced chemical equation, 1m – state symbols] [2]

(c) Explain why the conductivity increases as sodium hydroxide solution is added to
aqueous ethanoic acid?

Sodium ethanoate is a soluble salt. Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali. Both

dissolves and dissociates fully in water to form a high concentration of mobile ions.

The conductivity increases as the concentration of mobile ions in the mixture

increases.
[2]

(d) If the concentration of the acid is half the concentration of the alkali solution, state
the volume of acid in the flask at the start of the reaction.

40 cm3 [1]

SNGS Prelim 2005

14 (a) Aqueous potassium hydroxide is gradually added to dilute sulfuric acid until it is in
excess.

7
 (i) Write an ionic equation, with state symbols, for this reaction.

H+(aq) + OH-(aq) 🡪 H2O(l)

[1m – ionic equation, 1m – state symbols] [2]

(ii) What happens to the pH value of the mixture during the addition?

When aqueous KOH is added gradually to dilute H2SO4, the pH value increases
(from 1 – 2).
At pH 7, dilute H2SO4 is exactly neutralised by aqueous KOH.
When aqueous KOH is added in excess, the pH increases to more than 7
(around 13 – 14). [2]

(b) The temperature of the mixture initially begins to rise as the potassium hydroxide is
added to the sulfuric acid. It then reaches a maximum and eventually falls as more
potassium hydroxide added.

Volume of potassium hydroxide added / cm3

(i) Why does the temperature initially rise?

The neutralisation reaction between KOH and H2SO4 is exothermic so heat is

given out to the surroundings. [1]

(ii) What volume of aqueous potassium hydroxide gives the highest temperature
reading?

35.0 cm3 [1]

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 (iii) Explain why the temperature falls if more than this volume of aqueous
potassium hydroxide is added.

Complete neutralisation takes place when 35.0 cm3 of aqueous KOH is added.
Beyond 35.0 cm3, no neutralisation takes place so no heat is given out. The KOH
is added in excess and cools down the mixture. [1]

15 A farmer adds excess calcium hydroxide to react with hydrogen ions in acidic soils. He then
adds fertilisers to increase the nitrogen content of the soil.

(a) Balance the ionic equation which shows the neutralisation of hydrogen ions by solid
calcium hydroxide.

_2_H+ (aq) + __Ca(OH)2 (s) 🡺 __Ca2+ (aq) + _2_H2O (l)

[1]

(c) Suggest why the farmer should use potassium nitrate rather than ammonium
phosphate to increase the nitrogen content of the soil.

Ammonium phosphate reacts with excess calcium hydroxide to form ammonia

gas, which escapes from the soil, resulting in a loss of nitrogen content from the
fertilisers (nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth).
Potassium nitrate does not react with calcium hydroxide, hence no loss of nitrogen
from the fertilisers. [1]