Question

Does a precipitate form when a solution of sodium acetate and a solution of ammonium sulfate are mixed together?

Answer 1

Answer & Explanation:

There is formation of a precipitate due to NH₄SO₄↓

CH₃COONa → CH₃COO⁻ +  Na⁺

(NH₄)₂SO₄↓ (insoluble)

Hence the reaction between the two gives,

NH₄CH₃COOH/CH₃COO⁻ +  Na⁺ (partially both exist) + NH₄SO₄ , ammonium acetate and ammonium sulphate.

The  dissolution in water will surely produce precipitation because the anion and cation in the reaction are weak in nature, when this happens, there is formation of  precipitate.

Sodium ion is a strong ion in-terms of reactivity, hence it ionizes in water and forms a sodium and acetate ion, thus Ammonium sulphate is responsible for precipitate formation

*Note: Ammonium sulphate precipitation is commonly used on a large scale for protein purification.