The nitrate ion, NO3-, is in a separate group from the anions used in today’s ex

Question

The nitrate ion, NO3-, is in a separate group from the anions used in today’s experiment. The groups are listed below. Suggest a reason why the procedure used today would make the determination of the nitrate ion difficult.

1. Group I: the sulfate group. This group is named the same as the sulfate ion but it also contains other –ate ions, like carbonate (CO32–) and phosphate (PO43–). These anions selectively react with Ba2+ cation (or other alkaline earth metal cations like Ca2+) under basic conditions (eg. ammonia solution) and generate precipitations. The reaction can be either reversible or irreversible depends on the chemical property of the precipitation.

2. Group II: the halide group. This group includes or the halides and sulfide (S2–). These anions can react with Ag+ cation under acidic or neutral conditions. The reaction usually generates very insoluble and chemically stable precipitation.

3. Group III: the nitrate group. The nitrate (NO3–) anion forms water soluble salt with all the common cations.

Explanation / Answer

The determination of nitrate is often difficult because of the low levels found , and the distinct possibility of interfering materials being present.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.