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SOLUBILITY TRENDS

This activity assesses

Unit 8945 Investigate periodic trends in the properties of a series of inorganic compounds (Level 2)
Element 1 Investigate periodic trends in the properties of a series of inorganic compounds.

CONDITIONS Task 1 - Individual or small group practical.

Task 2 - Individual, formal activity.

INSTRUCTIONS

You are to investigate the solubility of the sulfates of the Group 2 elements of the periodic
table.

The purpose of your investigation is to establish whether there is any trend or pattern in the
solubility of the Group 2 sulfates.

Task 1

1 Test the solubility of some Group 2 sulfates by carrying out the steps below.

a Place approximately 0.5g of MgSO4 into 10 mL of water in a test tube.

Stopper the test tube, shake for a few moments and then leave to settle.
Observe after 5 minutes and record your observations on its solubility in the table below.
If the solid has completely dissolved it is soluble. If solid remains undissolved then it is
either partially soluble or insoluble depending upon how much dissolves.

b Repeat for CaSO4, SrSO4 and BaSO4.

c Record all of your observations from a and b in the table below and make an estimate of
whether each sulfate is soluble, partially soluble or insoluble.

Sulfate Observation Solubility

MgSO4

CaSO4

SrSO4

BaSO4

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© NZQA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ASSESSMENT GUIDE: CHEMISTRY - MAY 1998
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2 In order to differentiate further between the solubility of the sulfate being tested, we can
add ions of the Group 2 element being tested to a saturated solution of a second Group 2
sulfate.

Record all of your observations from a and b in the table below.

a To 5 mL of a saturated solution of CaSO4 in a test tube, add 1 mL of SrCl2 solution. The

appearance of cloudiness or a precipitate would indicate that SrSO4 is less soluble than
CaSO4.

b To 5 mL of a saturated solution of SrSO4 in a test tube, add 1 mL of BaCl2 solution. The

appearance of cloudiness or a precipitate would indicate that BaSO4 is less soluble than
SrSO4.

Observation

SrCl2 solution added to saturated solution of

CaSO4

BaCl2 solution added to saturated solution of SrSO4

1.1

Task 2

a Using the information that you have gained from Task A, rank the four sulfates that you
have investigated in order of their solubility in the table below. Place the most soluble
sulfate at the top of the list.

Solubility of Group 2 sulfates

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b Use the information from Task 2a to write a statement that summarises the trend in the
solubility of sulfates as you go down Group 2 in the periodic table.

..................................................................................................................................................

c You have not investigated the solubility of BeSO4 because of the toxicity of beryllium
compounds. Use the trend established in Task 2b to predict whether BeSO4 should be
soluble or insoluble.

....................................................................................................................................................
1.2

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© NZQA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ASSESSMENT GUIDE: CHEMISTRY - MAY 1998

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Assessment Schedule - Solubility Trends

Unit 8945 Investigate periodic trends in the properties of a series of inorganic compounds
(Level 2)

Task Element Evidence Judgement

(The answers or performance expected from the students) (A statement that defines the
standard to be achieved)
1 1.1 1 Three sulfates with correct
observations and matching
Sulfate Observation Solubility solubility statement.
MgSO4 All solid dissolves Soluble
CaSO4 (Some) solid (Partially) Brackets indicate alternative
undissolved insoluble correct responses.
SrSO4 Solid undissolved Insoluble
BaSO4 Solid undissolved Insoluble

Observation Correct observation for each

SrCl2 added to example.
Cloudiness / precipitate
CaSO4 forms
BaCl2 added to Cloudiness / precipitate
BaSO4 forms

2 1.2 a a MgSO4 and CaSO4 correctly

placed as 1 and 2; SrSO4 and
Solubility order
BaSO4 may be placed as 3
1 MgSO4 or 4.
2 CaSO4
3 SrSO4
4 BaSO4

b The solubility of the Group 2 sulfates decreases as

you go down the group. b Statement correct.

c BeSO4 should be soluble.

c Statement correct.

SOLUBILITY TRENDS ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE 1/2

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Teachers Notes

Laboratory chemicals required

0.1 mol L-1 MgSO4 solution 0.1 mol L-1 SrCl2 solution

0.1 mol L-1 BaCl2 solution

saturated SrSO4 solution saturated CaSO4 solution

MgSO4, CaSO4, SrSO4 and BaSO4 solids

Note all solutions must be made with distilled water.

Solubility of the Group 2 Sulfates

Magnesium 3.1 mol L-1

Calcium 0.015 mol L-1
Strontium 0.0015 mol L-1
Barium 0.0000011 mol L-1

SOLUBILITY TRENDS ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE 2/2

© NZQA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ASSESSMENT GUIDE: CHEMISTRY - MAY 1998