Question

Barium phosphate is a very finely divided precipitate. Identify two special steps in the procedure that are incorporated into the experiment that minimize the loss of barium phosphate in its analysis.

Answer 1

Barium phosphate is a finely divided precipitate. In order to minimize the loss of precipitate during the method, the filtration is done using a whatman filter paper, this ensures all the precipitate from the solution stays on top of filter paper and does not go into the solution. The filtrate is then analyzed for any Ba2+ ions by addition of more phosphate ion into it, If precipitate formed, it is filtered again. The process is repeated until no more precipitate is formed in the filtrate solution.