Question

Sulphuric acid is used in the preparation of insoluble sulphate salts. Explain.

Answer 1

Insoluble sulphate salts are prepared using dilute sulphuric acid through a double decomposition (precipitation) reaction. A soluble salt solution of the target metal is mixed with dilute sulphuric acid to precipitate the insoluble sulphate.

Example Equation (Preparing Insoluble Barium Sulphate):

\[\ce{BaCl2 (aq) + H2SO4 (dil.) -> BaSO4 ↓ (White ppt.) + 2HCl (aq)}\]