Question detail
Why must a sample be acidified before adding barium chloride solution when testing for sulfate ions?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Identification of ions by chemical and spectroscopic means
Question
Why must a sample be acidified before adding barium chloride solution when testing for sulfate ions?
Answer
A high-scoring answer should explain explain that the sample is acidified before adding barium chloride solution. Use method first, observation second, conclusion last: name the relevant test or measurement, state the observation, and then connect the result to Sulfate ions.
Explanation
This is correct because barium chloride after acidifying is the evidence expected for sulfate ion, and white precipitate is the result that supports the conclusion. A complete answer should use the approved objective wording, include the relevant evidence, and avoid unsupported identification claims.
Common mistake
Acidification Step Confusion
Students often forget to acidify the sample before adding barium chloride solution, leading to incorrect results.
Correct this by using the approved Sulfate ions context: Explain that the sample is acidified before adding barium chloride solution. Name the correct test or chemistry idea, state the observation accurately, and then give the conclusion supported by that evidence. Do not swap gas tests, flame tests, cation tests, anion tests, chromatography terms, pure substances, and formulations.
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