Question

One chemical test that would enable you to distinguish between the following pair of chemicals. Describe what happens with each chemical or state 'no visible reaction'.
Sodium sulphate solution and sodium chloride solution.

Answer 1

Sodium sulphate solution and sodium chloride solution can be distinguished by using barium chloride solution. Barium chloride solution on being added to sodium sulphate solution forms a white precipitate which is insoluble in conc. HCl whereas sodium chloride shows no reaction with barium chloride solution.