Group No.

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EXPERIMENT #10:
GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS SOLUTION
OBJECTIVES:
After this laboratory activity, the students should be able to:
1. apply the concept of gravimetric analysis.
2. determine amount of analyte precipitate.
3. predict the percentage of analyte precipitate.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Gravimetric analysis, includes all methods of analysis in which the final stage of the analysis involves
weighing. Gravimetric analysis is one of the most accurate and precise methods of macro quantitative
analysis. In this process the analyte is selectively converted to an insoluble form.
The separated precipitate is dried or ignited, possibly to another form, and is accurately weigh. From the
weight of the precipitate and knowledge of its chemical composition, the weight of analyte can be
calculated in the desired form.
REAGENTS:
1. HNO3 (concentrated)
2. AgNO3 (s)
3. NaCl (s)

EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS:
1. Burette 6. Watch glass
2. Beaker 7. Magnetic stirrer
3. Stirring rod 8. Hot plate
4. Filter paper 9. Weighing bottle
5. Porcelain crucibles 10. Aluminum Foil

PROCEDURES:
1. Weigh a sample solid sodium chloride of about 0.2 – 0.3 g into 400 mL beaker.
2. Dissolve the sample in distilled water and dilute to about 150 mL. Add about 0.5 mL of concentrated
nitric acid.
3. Calculate gram of silver nitrate powder needed to make 150 mL of 0.1 M silver nitrate solution (Hint:
use molecular weight of AgNO3).
4. Heat the sample solution of sodium chloride with constant stirring. Add an excess of 10% of silver
nitrate solution slowly into the sample solution until the coagulation process stop.
5. The stirring helps prevent bumping of the solution during heating and the danger of loss of precipitate.
6. Let the precipitate settle and test for complete precipitation by carefully adding a few drops of silver
nitrate to the clear supernatant liquid. If more precipitate or a cloudiness appears, add a few more
millilitres of silver nitrate solution, stir well, heat, let the precipitate settle and test again until
precipitation complete.
7. Cover the beaker with aluminium foil and wait for the solution to cool off for about 1 hour,
Filtration and Washing of the Precipitate
8. Decant the solution, pouring the solution down a stirring rod. The precipitate should be disturbed as
little as possible.
9. To the precipitate in the beaker add about 25 mL of the wash solution, stir well, let the precipitate
settle, and decant the solution through the filter paper. Then, bring the precipitate onto the filter and put
into porcelain crucibles. Use small portions of the wash solution for transfer.
Drying and Weighing of the Precipitate
10. Place the crucibles containing the precipitate in a covered beaker in the oven for 1 day at 40 – 50 oC.
Make sure you do not leave it more than 1 day.
11. Cool the crucibles in the dessicator, and weigh.
Guide Questions:
1. Explain the function of wash solution (HNO3) during washing step.
2. Calculate the percentage of chloride in the sample.
3. How to obtain large precipitate during the experiment?