Unit 1&2 Chemistry sig figs/units

The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School

Gravimetric Analysis Practical Write-Up

Use of data booklet and practical sheet allowed

30 minutes
Total of -1 off the test total for incorrect significant figures and units
Half marks not given Name: ________________________________

Introduction: Sulphur is an important ingredient for plant nutrition and is found in many fertilisers. A soluble
fertiliser, with active ingredient ammonium sulphate, contains sulphur in the form of sulphate ions (SO42-).

The amount of sulphur in fertiliser can be determined by the gravimetric analysis of sulphate ions. In this
practical, sulphate was precipitated as barium sulphate by adding an excess of barium chloride according to the
equation below.
(NH4)2SO4 (aq) + BaCl2 (aq) � BaSO4 (s) + 2NH4Cl (aq)

Aim: To find the percentage of sulphur present in a brand of commercial fertiliser.

Method:

Step 1: About 2.0 g of a sample of the fertiliser was stirred in 100 mL of water to dissolve it.
Step 2: The solution was filtered, and the residue rinsed with water.
Step 3: The filtrate was transferred to a 250 mL beaker.
Step 4: 60 mL of 0.10 M barium chloride solution was added to the filtrate, and a white precipitate of barium
sulphate formed.
Step 5: The precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration and was allowed to dry in air on the filter paper for 24
hours. The mass of the solid obtained was weighed and recorded.
Step 6: Repeat steps 1 – 5 three more times.

Results:

Table 1: Brand of fertiliser and classes average mass results

Brand and name of Fertiliser “Richgro” Sulphate of Ammonia”

Sulphur as sulphate (content specified by
24% (w/w)
manufacturer)
Mass of fertiliser sample (g) 2.013 g

Mass of dry filter paper (g) 1.345 g

Mass of dried filter paper and precipitate (g) 4.554 g

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Unit 1&2 Chemistry sig figs/units

Questions:

1. Write the ionic equation for the formation of the precipitate.

(1 mark)
2+ 2−
Ba (aq) + SO4 (aq) → BaSO4 (s)
No mark if students have included no or incorrect states.

2. Using the results provided in Table 1:

a. Calculate the amount, in mol, of precipitate formed.
(2 marks)

m ( BaSO4 ) = 4.554 − 1.345 = 3.209g (1)

m 3.209
n ( BaSO4=
) = = 0.01375mol (1) 4 sf
M 137.3 + 32.1 + 4 × 16.0

b. With suitable reasoning, state the amount, in mol, of sulphate in the sample.
(1 mark)

n ( BaSO4 ) = n ( SO42− )
n ( SO4 2− ) = 0.01375mol 4 sf
Do not award mark unless students have indicated the 1:1 ratio

c. Calculate the percentage, by mass, of sulphur in the fertiliser.

(3 marks)
= ( SO42− ) 0.01375mol
n ( S ) n= (1)
m ( S=
) 0.01375 × 32.1
= 0.4414g (1)
0.4414
% ( SO42−=
) × 100
= 21.93% (1) 4 sf
2.013
NB: % S not sulfate

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Unit 1&2 Chemistry sig figs/units

3. Which one of the following experimental errors would account for the difference seen between the
manufacturer’s quoted value for the percentage by mass and your calculated value.

A. Some of the filtrate solution was lost during transfer to the 250 mL beaker
B. There were some impurities in the solution that also formed a precipitate with a higher molecular mass
than BaSO4
C. The student did not rinse the residue in step 2 of the method
D. The precipitate was not left to dry completely before the final weighing
The calculated percentage is less than the manufacturer's specified. Answer is option A. (1 mark)
Both B and D will yield a higher percentage by mass of sulphur. Option C is human error.

4. In step 6, the experiment is repeated until a total of four trials have been recorded. The masses of
precipitate found in each trial were within 0.01 g of each other. Does this mean that the experiment was
accurate or precise? Circle one of the following:

Accurate Precise
(1 mark)

5. It was noticed by one student that all the groups in the class had received very similar results. What does
this indicate about the reliability of the experiment?
Experiment was reliable as it was able to be repeated effectively (1)

(1 mark)

6. One group forgot to record the mass of the filter paper for every trial. This meant that their final mass
recorded for the precipitate was consistently higher than all the other groups.
a. Is this error systematic or random?
Systematic (1)
(1 mark)

b. Does this impact the accuracy or precision of the experiment? Give an explanation for your
answer.

Accuracy (1)
The error affects every trial and will impact how close the result is to the true value (1)

(2 marks)

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Unit 1&2 Chemistry sig figs/units

7. In one trial, some of the precipitate was lost during the transfer onto the scales.
a. Does this impact the precision or accuracy of the experiment?
Precision (1)
(1 mark)

b. Give a short explanation for your answer above.

Precipitate was lost in ONE trial, meaning that the individual trial results are not close to each other (1)

(1 mark)

8. Why was an excess of barium chloride added to the conical flask?

To ensure complete precipitation of all sulphate ions present (1)

(1 mark)

9. State one property that the barium sulphate precipitate must have to be used in this gravimetric analysis.
Any of the following: (1)
- Stable at high temperatures
- High molecular mass
- Have known formula (1 mark)
- Have low solubility
- Not form precipitates with other ions
10. A few actions which could occur during this analytical procedure are listed below (A – C). For each action,
indicate the likely effect on the calculated percentage of sulphur in the fertiliser by placing a tick in the
appropriate box.

Action Calculated No effect on Calculated

result would calculated result would be
be too low result too high
A. The barium sulphate precipitate was not washed with
water ✔
B. The 250 mL beaker has been previously washed with
water but not dried ✔
C. The mass of the fertiliser was recorded incorrectly. The
recorded mass was 0.2 g higher than the actual mass. ✔
(3 marks)

End of task

/20 marks