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24 January, 13:23

How to distinguish a solution of sodium sulphite from a solution of sodium sulphate in the lab

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  1. 24 January, 13:48
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    We have to distinguish a solution of sodium sulphite from a solution of sodium sulphate in the laboratory.

    Solution of sodium sulphite is acidified with dilute HCl and to that when few drops of barium chloride (BaCl₂) solution is added, white precipitate is formed. The white precipitate is soluble in HCl.

    To this solution 2 drops of iodine (I₂) solution is added and brown colour of iodine is discharged as I₂ gets reduced to HI.

    The reactions involved in case of sodium sulphite is are:

    Na₂SO₃ + BaCl₂ = BaSO₃ ↓ + 2NaCl

    (white precipitate)

    BaSO₃ + 2HCl = BaCl₂ + H₂SO₃

    H₂SO₃ + I₂ + H₂O = H₂SO₄ + 2HI

    On the other hand, solution of sodium sulphate is acidified with dilute HCl and to that when few drops of barium chloride (BaCl₂) solution is added, white precipitate is formed. The white precipitate of BaSO₄ is formed which is insoluble in HCl.

    Na₂SO₄ + BaCl₂ = BaSO₄ ↓ + 2NaCl

    (white precipitate)
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