Question detail
What is the test for sulfate ions in a solution?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only)
Question
- A. Add barium chloride solution and look for a white precipitate
- B. Add silver nitrate solution and look for a yellow precipitate
- C. Add dilute hydrochloric acid and look for effervescence
- D. Add sodium hydroxide and look for a blue solution
Answer
Add barium chloride solution and look for a white precipitate
Explanation
The correct option is Add barium chloride solution and look for a white precipitate. Add barium chloride solution and look for a white precipitate is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to identify carbonate, sulfate and halide ions using appropriate tests. This reasoning is anchored to Aqueous ion tests (A-level only) in Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only), and it separates carbonate from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.
Common mistake
Identifying Halide Ions
Students often confuse the tests for halide ions, mistakenly using silver nitrate for sulfates instead of halides.
To correctly identify halide ions, use the test with silver nitrate. The reaction is: AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl (white precipitate). Ensure to remember that barium chloride is used for sulfate tests.
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