Testing for Sulfate Ions

To identify the presence of sulfate ions in a solution, follow these steps:

1. To acidify the sample, add a few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl).

2. Then, add a few drops of dilute barium chloride (BaCl2) solution to the sample.

3. If sulfate ions are present in the solution, a white precipitate of barium sulfate (BaSO4) will form. The reaction is:

Ba²⁺ (aq) + SO4²⁻ (aq) → BaSO4 (s)

For example, if we have a solution of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), the reaction would be:

BaCl2 (aq) + MgSO4 (aq) → BaSO4 (s) + MgCl2 (aq)

By observing the formation of the white precipitate, we can confirm the presence of sulfate ions in the sample.

Magnesium sulfate solution in a test tube and hand adding drops of barium chloride solution into it. A milky white precipitate of barium sulfate is then shown as the result.