Determining the sulfate content of fertiliser question? (1 Viewer)

[Callan442]

I used jacaranda chemistry 2's experimental method for this one. Two points I am not sure of;
1. They say in the method to specifically add warm water to the fertiliser, is there any reason for this for the reaction?
2. It says to add concentrated HCl to the solition of fertiliser and warm water, what is the purpose of this?

 

[deswa1]

You add concentrated acid to remove any carbonate present in the fertiliser-> note that barium carbonate would also precipitate out and stuff things up.

I'm not that sure about the water but I think its to coagulate the particles so they don't pass through the pores of the filter paper- someone else should be able to confirm/deny

 

[golgo13]

Water isn't really important, its just for wash bottle washing down stuff since the HCL in practice is what you primarily use to dissolve. the temperature however is important to increase saturation from memory. When i did the prac i warmed (boiled HCL), so i assume it'd be the safer option to use water