MODEL ANSWERS FOR SOME CHEMISTRY QUESTIONS

ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS

Precipitation Method of preparing insoluble salt
Question
Describe how you would prepare barium sulfate.

Mix two soluble salts (barium chloride and sodium sulphate). [1]
Filter the precipitate formed. [1]
Wash the precipitate with water. [1/2]
Dry the precipitate by pressing between 2 filter papers. [1/2]

Titration Method of preparing SPA salt

Question
Describe how pure crystals of potassium nitrate can be prepared by using a suitable
acid and alkali.
Answer

Fill the burette with nitric acid.

Using a pipette, transfer 25.0 ml of potassium hydroxide into a conical flask and
then add indicator into it.
Titrate the potassium hydroxide with nitric acid until it reaches the end-point and
record the volume of acid used.
Using the recorded volume of acid and alkali, repeat the above steps without
using the indicator to obtain the salt solution.
Boil and evaporate the salt solution until it becomes saturated.
Cool the saturated solution for the crystals to form.
filter to collect the zinc sulfate crystals.

Preparation of soluble Non-SPA salts by crystallization method.

Question
Describe how you would prepare zinc sulfate in the lab.
Answer

Warm sulfuric acid and add zinc oxide until excess.

Filter excess zinc oxide and collect the filtrate in an evaporating dish.
Evaporate the salt solution until it becomes saturated.
Cool the saturated solution for crystals of zinc sulfate to form.
Wash with cold water and filter to collect the zinc sulfate crystals.