Question

Why is the solution of the sulfate is acidified with hcl?

Answer 1

Testing for ions and gases
Flame tests identify alkali metal ions in compounds. Transition metals form different coloured precipitates with sodium hydroxide solution. Gases are identified by simple tests.
Part of
Chemistry (Single Science)Chemical reactions and tes
Tests for negative ions

Testing for carbonate ions

Carbonate ions, CO32- can be detected whether in a solid compound or in solution. An acid, such as dilute hydrochloric acid, is added to the test compound.

Carbon dioxide gas bubbles if carbonate ions are present. Limewater is used to confirm that the gas is carbon dioxide. It turns from clear to milky when carbon dioxide is bubbled through.

Testing for sulfate ions

Sulfate ions in solution, SO42-, are detected using barium chloride solution. The test solution is acidified using a few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid, and then a few drops of barium chloride solution are added. A white precipitate of barium sulfate forms if sulfate ions are present.

For example:

barium chloride + sodium sulfate → sodium chloride + barium sulfate

BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + BaSO4(s)

The hydrochloric acid is added first to remove any carbonate ions that might be present - they would also produce a white precipitate, giving a false positive result.

Barium nitrate solution can be used instead of barium chloride solution. However, nitric acid is added first to acidify the test solution. Sulfuric acid cannot be used because it contains sulfate ions - these would interfere with the second part of the test.

Testing for halide ions

The halogens are the elements in Group 7 of the periodic table. Chlorine, bromine and iodine are halogens. Their ions are called halide ions, eg chloride, Cl-.

Halide ions in solutions are detected using silver nitrate solutions. The test solution is acidified using a few drops of dilute nitric acid, and then a few drops of silver nitrate solution are added. Different coloured silver halide precipitates form, depending on the halide ions present:

chloride ions give a white precipitate of silver chloride
bromide ions give a cream precipitate of silver bromide
iodide ions give a yellow precipitate of silver iodide
For example:

silver nitrate + sodium bromide → sodium nitrate + silver bromide

AgNO3(aq) + NaBr(aq) → NaNO3(aq) + AgBr(s)

One way to remember the colours is to think of ‘milk, cream, butter’ (white, cream, yellow).

The nitric acid is added first to remove any carbonate ions that might be present - they would produce a white precipitate of silver carbonate, giving a false positive result for chloride ions.

Testing for nitrate ions

Nitrate ions (NO3-) can be detected by reducing them to ammonia. This is done by:

adding sodium hydroxide solution, then aluminium powder or foil
heating strongly
If nitrate ions are present, ammonia gas is given off. This has a characteristic choking smell. It also turns damp red litmus paper or damp universal indicator paper blue.

Answer 2

co32=may be. fhhngdasvknhudxvn