12.5.6

Testing Anions - Sulfates

Test yourself

Testing for Sulfates

Sulfates are compounds that contain SO42- ions. There are 2 steps to sulfate testing:

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Add dilute hydrochloric acid

  • Add dilute hydrochloric acid to an unknown solution.
    • This removes carbonate ions. These could disrupt test results by forming a precipitate with the barium ions added in step 2.
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Add barium chloride

  • Add barium chloride to the same solution.
    • If sulfates are present, the white precipitate barium sulfate will form:
      • Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) → BaSO4(s)

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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