8.3.5 Sulphates

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Sulphate ions $\ce{(SO4^2−) }$ can be tested using a solution of barium chloride $\ce{BaCl2}$ mixed with dilute hydrochloric acid $(HCl)$ . When this mixture is added to a solution containing sulphate ions, a white precipitate of barium sulphate $\ce{BaSO4}$ forms.

infoNote

This reaction occurs as the larger sulphate ions displace the chloride ions in barium chloride:

\ce{SO4^2−−​+BaCl2​→BaSO4​+2Cl−}

The appearance of a white precipitate indicates the presence of sulphate ions in the solution.

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