Teacher Guide for Experiment 1: Precipitation Reaction with Sulfates

Objective:
To help students understand precipitation reactions and the application of solubility rules in
predicting the formation of insoluble compounds.
Materials:
 Barium nitrate (Ba(NO₃)₂) - solid (approximately 1 gram)
 Sodium chloride (NaCl) - solid (approximately 1 gram)
 Barium chloride (BaCl₂) - solid (approximately 1 gram)
 Iron(II) sulfate (FeSO₄) - solid (approximately 1 gram)
 Test tubes and rack
 Distilled water
 Safety goggles and lab coat
 Dropper pipettes
Procedure:
Follow the student guide for the procedure.
Solubility Rules:

1. Nitrates (NO₃⁻): All nitrates are soluble.

2. Acetates (CH₃COO⁻) and Perchlorates (ClO₄⁻): All acetates and perchlorates are
soluble.

3. Chlorides (Cl⁻), Bromides (Br⁻), and Iodides (I⁻): Most are soluble, except those of
silver (Ag⁺), lead (Pb²⁺), and mercury (Hg₂²⁺).

4. Sulfates (SO₄²⁻): Most are soluble, except those of barium (Ba²⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), and
lead (Pb²⁺).

5. Carbonates (CO₃²⁻), Phosphates (PO₄³⁻), and Sulfides (S²⁻): Most are insoluble,
except those of alkali metals (Group 1 elements) and ammonium (NH₄⁺).

6. Hydroxides (OH⁻) and Oxides (O²⁻): Most are insoluble, except those of alkali metals
and barium (Ba²⁺).
Results and Observations:
 Precipitate
Formation Observation
Test Tube (Yes/No) (Color, Texture) Complete Equation Explanation of Observation

Ba(NO₃)₂(aq) + FeSO₄(aq)
Ba(NO₃)₂ + → BaSO₄(s) + BaSO₄ is insoluble in water,
FeSO₄ Yes White precipitate Fe(NO₃)₂(aq) hence forms a white solid.

Both NaCl and FeSO₄ are

NaCl + NaCl(aq) + FeSO₄(aq) → soluble, no precipitate
FeSO₄ No No visible change No reaction forms.

BaCl₂ + BaCl₂(aq) + FeSO₄(aq) → BaSO₄ is insoluble in water,

FeSO₄ Yes White precipitate BaSO₄(s) + FeCl₂(aq) hence forms a white solid.

Control No other reagent added to

(FeSO₄ only) No No visible change N/A react with FeSO₄.

Discussion Questions and Answers:

1. Why does a precipitate form in some reactions but not in others?
 Answer: A precipitate forms when the product of a reaction is an insoluble
compound. In the reactions where barium sulfate (BaSO₄) forms, it is
insoluble in water and precipitates out of the solution. In the case of NaCl and
FeSO₄, both products are soluble in water, so no precipitate forms.
2. What role do solubility rules play in predicting the formation of a precipitate in these
reactions?
 Answer: Solubility rules help determine whether a compound will dissolve in
water or form a precipitate. For example, most sulfate salts are soluble, but
barium sulfate is an exception. Understanding these rules allows us to predict
that BaSO₄ will precipitate when barium ions and sulfate ions are present in
the same solution.
3. How can you identify which compound is the precipitate in each reaction?
 Answer: The precipitate is identified as the solid that forms and separates from
the solution. In these reactions, the appearance of a white solid indicates the
formation of barium sulfate (BaSO₄). The specific compound can be
confirmed using the solubility rules.
Key Points to Highlight and Explain:
1. Precipitation Reactions:
 Explain that a precipitation reaction occurs when two aqueous solutions react
to form an insoluble solid, known as a precipitate.
  Highlight that the formation of a precipitate can be predicted using solubility
rules.
2. Solubility Rules:
 Discuss the general solubility rules, emphasizing exceptions like barium
sulfate.
 Explain how these rules can help predict whether a compound will dissolve or
form a precipitate in water.
3. Observation and Analysis:
 Encourage students to carefully observe changes in the test tubes, such as
color change, formation of a solid, or lack of reaction.
 Stress the importance of writing balanced chemical equations to understand
the reactants and products involved in the reactions.
4. Real-World Applications:
 Connect the concept of precipitation reactions to real-world applications, such
as water treatment processes where insoluble compounds are precipitated out
to purify water.
By guiding students through these observations and explanations, they will gain a
comprehensive understanding of precipitation reactions and solubility rules, which are
fundamental concepts in chemistry.