SULFATES

• WHAT HAPPENS TO SOLUBILITY OF SULFATES DOWN GROUP 2?

  decreases
• SOLUBILITY OF BaSO4?

  virtually insoluble
• USES OF BaSO4?

  barium meal, test for sulfate ions in solution
• HOW IS BARIUM MEAL USED?

  used to outline gut in X-rays
• IS BARIUM MEAL SAFE?

  highly toxic but safe due to it being insoluble
• HOW IS BaSO4 USED IN THE TEST FOR SULFATE IONS IN SOLUTION?

  1. Test solution acidified with HCl/ HNO3 (to remove carbonate ions)
  2. BaCl added
  3. White precipitate formed (BaSO4) = shows presence of SO4 ions