Practical: Prepare Lead(II)Sulfate
Aim
- To prepare a dry sample of lead(II) sulfate
- The solid salt obtained is the precipitate, thus in order to successfully use this method the solid salt being formed must be insoluble in water, and the reactants must be soluble
Diagram
Preparation of an insoluble salt via precipitation
The preparation of lead(II)sulfate by precipitation from two soluble salts
Method
- Measure out 25 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm3 lead(II)nitrate solution and add it to a small beaker
- Measure out 25 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm3 of potassium sulfate add it to the beaker and mix together using a stirring rod
- Filter to remove precipitate from mixture
- Wash filtrate with distilled water to remove traces of other solutions
- Leave in an oven to dry
Soluble salt 1 = lead(II) nitrate
Soluble salt 2 = potassium sulfate
lead(II) nitrate + potassium sulfate → lead(II) sulfate + potassium nitrate
Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + K2SO4 (aq) → PbSO4 (s) + 2KNO3 (aq)
Examiner Tip
Care should be taken with handling lead salts as they are toxic.