Insoluble salts are made by precipitation. An equation for the preparation of barium
sulfate is given below.
BaCl 2
(aq) + MgSO4
(aq) o BaSO4
(s) + MgCl 2
(aq)
This reaction can be used to fi nd x in the formula for hydrated magnesium sulfate
MgSO4
.xH2
O.
A known mass of hydrated magnesium sulfate, MgSO4
.xH2
O, was dissolved in water.
Excess aqueous barium chloride was added. The precipitate of barium sulfate was
fi ltered, washed and dried. Finally it was weighed.
Mass of hydrated magnesium sulfate = 1.476 g
Mass of barium sulfate formed = 1.398 g
The mass of one mole of BaSO4
= 233 g
The number of moles of BaSO4
formed = ............... [1]
The number of moles of MgSO4
.xH2
O = ............... [1]
The mass of one mole of MgSO4
.xH2
O = ...............g [1
The mass of one mole of MgSO4
= 120 g
The mass of xH2
O in one mole of MgSO4
.xH2
O = ............... [1]
x = ...............