Preparation of an Insoluble Salt by The Double Decomposition Method

Aim:

To prepare a pure dry sample of silver chloride using the double decomposition   method.

Method:

Put some lead(II) nitrate solution in a beaker. Add dilute hydrocloric acid stirring the mixture. There is an immediate white precipitate of  silver chloride . The silver chloride is left on the filter paper and the colourless filtrate contains dilute nitric acid, the other product of the double decomposition reaction. Wash the recidue on the filter paper several times with hot distilled water to remove soluble impurities. Allow the precipitate to dry on the filter paper or on the porous plate. It will become a white powder.

AgNO3(aq)      +      HCl(aq)                         AgCl(s)      +      HNO3(aq)

Make a laboratory report of this experiment, which should include:

1.      Aim

2.      Materials

3.      Apparatus

4.      Suitable diagrams

5.      Method

6.      Observations

7.      Comments – This should include a full balanced chemical equation of the reaction taking place and the name of this reaction. You should also point out why such method (double decomposition or precipitation) was suitable for the preparation of such a salt as silver chloride.