Sulphate, SO42-

AIM: To identify the acid radical present in the given salt sample.

(A) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Colour-White, Odour: odourless
State: crystalline, Solubility: soluble in water
(B) DRY TESTS FOR ACID RADICALS:-
S.No Experiment Observation Inference
i Dilute sulphuric acid test – To a pinch of salt No brisk effervescence CO3 2- absent
taken in a dry test tube, 1-2 ml of dil. H2SO4 was No gas with smell of SO3 2- absent
added. burning sulphur
No gas with rotten egg S 2- absent
smell
No reddish brown gas NO2- absent
ii Oxalic acid test- To a pinch of the salt taken on No smell of vinegar CH3COO- absent
a watch glass, oxalic acid crystals and few drops
of water were added to make a paste.
iii MnO2 test- To a pinch of the salt taken in a dry No greenish yellow gas Cl- absent
test tube with equal amount of MnO2,1-2ml with pungent smell
conc. H2SO4 was added and heated. No reddish brown Br- absent
vapours
No deep violet vapours I - absent
iv Copper turning test- To a pinch of salt taken in No dark brown gas NO3 - absent
a dry test tube, 1-2 ml conc. H2SO4 was added evolved
and heated. Now a few copper turnings were
added.
(C) WET TEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF ACID RADICAL:-

(i) Preparation of original solution- A little amount of salt was taken in a clean dry test tube to which 5
ml distilled water was added. The test tube was shaken till the salt dissolved and a clear solution was
obtained. This solution is labeled as original solution (o.s)
(ii) Test for SO4 2-
Experiment Observation Inference
(i) BaCl2 test: To a part of the os, 1-2 ml BaCl2 Thick white precipitation Presence of
solution was added. insoluble in mineral acids sulphate radical is
confirmed
(ii) Lead acetate test: To the os few drops of acetic acid Thick white precipitation Presence of
and lead acetate solution were added. insoluble in mineral acids sulphate radical is
confirmed
CHEMICAL REACTIONS INVOLVED:-
(i)SO42- (aq) + BaCl2 (aq) 🡪 BaSO4(white ppt, insoluble in mineral acids) + 2Cl-
(ii) SO42-(aq)+ Pb(CH3COO)2 (aq)🡪PbSO4(white ppt,insoluble in mineral acids)+2CH3COO-
(D) RESULT:- The given salt contains Sulphate, SO42- as the acid radical.