Detailed General Steps in Gravimetric Analysis

Step 1: weigh the sample

to be analyzed.

Step 2: Dissolve the sample in

a Suitable solvent. E.g. water.

Step 3: Add an excess of the precipitating

Reagent to precipitate the analyte.

Step 4: Filter the mixture to separate the Precipitate

from the solution. (3)

Step 5: wash the Precipitate to remove any impurities (4)

Step 6: Dry the Precipitate by heating to remove water.

Step 7: Cool the precipitate in a desiccator to prevent the precipitate

absorbing moisture from the air.
Step 8: weigh the cooled Precipitate.
Step 9: Repeat the drying and weighing process until a constant mass for the
precipitate is achieved.

Step 10: Calculate the percent by mass of an analyte in the sample.