Experiment 4: Determination of the purity of a sodium sulphate sample by gravimetric analysis

Introduction
Gravimetric means to a weight measurement. This method is used during the analysis is completed by a
weighing operation. In addition, gravimetric analysis is a group if analytical methods in which the amount
of analyte is determined by the measurement of the mass of a pure substances\ containing the analyte.
Sulphate ion can be determined gravimetrically by precipitating it in aqueous solution by barium ion.
2−¿ →Ba SO 4 ¿

Ba3+¿ ( aq )+ SO 4 ¿

Sulphates are precipitated in acidic solution for two reasons. First, the presence of acid results in the
formation of larger crystals of barium sulphate. Secondly, acidic solution prevents the precipitation of
other anions, such as carbonates. These anions might present as impurities in real samples.
In this experiment, the sulphate ions in a sodium in a sodium sulphate sample will be precipitated as
barium sulphate. The, mass of the barium sulphate obtained will be used to calculate the purity of the
sample.
Objective
To determine the purity of sodium sulphate in a sample
Procedure
(a) Precipitating stage
1. About 0.6 g of sodium sulphate is weighed accurately and it is dissolved in 20 mL distilled
water in a 400 mL beaker.
2. The solution is heated until all the sodium sulphate dissolves. The solution was acidifying
with 0.5 mL concentrated HCL.
3. The solution is diluted TO 250mL. The dilute solution was heating continue to 80˚c.
4. The hot solution, 20 mL of 0.25 M BaCl2 was added slowly from the burette whilst the
solution is stirred.
5. The beaker is covered with a watch glass and it is placed in a water bath for one hour.

(b) Filtration and washing the precipitation.

1. A filter paper is weighed. Its mass was recorded.
2. Without stirring the solution in the beaker, the supernatant is poured onto the filter paper, was
leaving behind as much as possible.
3. The precipitate is washed in the beaker with 100mL warm water. The supernatant is poured
onto filter paper. These steps are repeated once again, and it is transferred the precipitate
quantitatively onto filter paper. This was done with the help of a rubber policeman and a
wash bottle.
4. The precipitate is washed in the funnel with warm water until there is no more chloride ion
detected in the filtrate. The silver nitrate is used to test the presence of chloride ion.

(c) Drying and weighing the product

1. The filter paper is allowed, and the precipitate is dried.
 2. The filter paper is weighed with its content and the constant mass of the precipitate is gotten.
The mass of the product and the calculation is performed as shown in the results section of
this experiment.

Discussion
Based on the experiment, the objective was to determine the purity of sodium sulphate.

There are a few steps of precaution while handling the experiment. Firstly, ….

Conclusion
In conclusion, I was able to determine the purity of sodium sulphate in a sample with the value of……