A precipitation reaction involves two aqueous solutions of soluble salts mixed together to yield an aqueous solution of a soluble salt and a solid compound. The solid is called a precipitant, and its formation is a result of precipitation. Precipitation is a result of aqueous cations and anions forming Coulombic interactions stronger than that of the water molecules and the ions in solution. A precipitation reaction requires two solutions containing soluble ionic salts to be mixed. A precipitant is yielded if some of the ions from the solutions mixed interact and form insoluble salts. In this experiment, we prepared mixtures of all possible pairs of these solutions to attempt to turn into salts. We worked to determine whether or not there would be a precipitant and wrote formulas respectively: Copper (II) sulfate, sodium chloride, lead nitrate, barium nitrate, silver nitrate, and sodium sulfate.
Before beginning the experiment, we predicted with mixtures of two of the given solutions would yield a precipitant and were asked to determine the formula respectively. We made these predictions using Table 5.1 Rules for determining the solubility of ionic compounds. After our predictions were approved, we began our experiment. We began by taking a clean test tube and first pouring a few drops of copper (II) sulfate and then a few drops of barium nitrate. We observed and noted the reaction, and then dispensed the solution in the proper waste jar that was set out for us (Note: we did this after every single solution experimented). We then washed the test tube, dried it and went on to test our next prediction. Next, we put in a few drops of copper (II) sulfate and added a couple drop of silver nitrate. We observed and noted the reaction and dispensed the solution in the waste jar. After cleaning and drying the test tube once more, we then made a solution containing a few drops of copper (II) sulfate with a few drops of lead nitrate. After m...