Topic 12 Salt Preparation

Basic Questions
Basic Question 1
Topic 12

Given starting material and salt to be formed, identify the

method of preparation, reagents to be used and be able to write
reaction occuring

Three methods are used for salt preparation

Method A:

using a burette and an indicator.

Method B:

mixing two solutions to obtain a salt by precipitation

Method C:

addition of an excess base or metal to a dilute acid then removing the excess by
filtration.

For the following salt preparations, choose method A, B or C and name any reagent needed and
complete or write the reactions.
(i)

(ii)

(iii)

The soluble salt, zinc sulphate from the insoluble base zinc oxide.
method

Method C

reagent

dilute sulphuric acid

word equation

zinc oxide + sulphuric acid zinc sulphate + water

The soluble salt, potassium chloride, from the soluble base, potassium hydroxide.
method

Method A

reagent

dilute hydrochloric acid

equation

KOH + HCl KCl + H2O

The insoluble salt, Lead (II) iodide from the soluble salt Lead (II) nitrate.
method

Method B

reagent

Potassium iodide or any soluble iodide

equation

Pb2+ + 2 I- PbI2

Basic Question 2
Topic 12

Application on Salt Preparation

Copper sulphate solution was prepared by reacting excess copper oxide with dilute sulphuric acid. The
diagram below shows the method used.

a)
Topic 12

Identify pieces of apparatus used in a given salt preparation

Fill in the empty boxes.

b)
Topic 12

Know the meaning of excess

Explain what is meant by excess.

What is left over unreacted at the end of a reaction
c)
Topic 12

Be able to draw a set up of filtration

Draw a diagram to show how the mixture is filtered.

Filter funnel

Basic Question 3
Topic 12

Application on Salt Preparation

The information in the box is about preparation of magnesium nitrate crystals.

Step 1: Add spatula measures of magnesium oxide to some hot dilute nitric acid then stir.
Step 2: Continue adding magnesium oxide until it is in excess.
Step 3: Remove excess magnesium oxide so that colorless magnesium nitrate is left behind.
Step 4: Evaporate the magnesium nitrate solution until it is saturated.
Step 5: Leave the saturated solution to cool, white crystals are seen formed on cooling.
Step 6: Remove the crystals from the solution.
Step 7: Dry the crystals on filter paper.

a)
Topic 12

Know why excess in salt preparation is used for certain

reagents.

Explain why excess magnesium oxide is used in step 2.

So that all the acid is used up or neutralized.
b)
Topic 12

Know how to separate solids from liquids

Explain how excess magnesium oxide is removed from the solution in Step 3.
By filtration
c)
(i)
Topic 12

Define saturated solution

What is meant by the term saturated solution?

A solution in which no more solid or solute can dissolve at that temperature.
(ii)
Topic 12

Know how to test practically if a solution is saturated

What is the practical method that could show that the solution is saturated?
Dip a cold glass rod from time to time in the solution to check the formation of crystals on
the tip of the rod.

d)
Topic 12

Know that some salts are decomposed by heat and cannot be

dried by heating

Explain why the crystals in Step 7 are dried using filter paper and not by heating.
To prevent breakdown of the crystals or the loss of water or to prevent the formation of
powder