Final answer:
To calculate the mass percent of MgSO4 using gravimetric analysis, dissolve a mixture containing MgSO4 in water, add Ba(NO3)2 to precipitate BaSO4, and use the mass of precipitated BaSO4 to find the concentration of MgSO4 in the mixture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves an experiment to prepare pure, dry crystals of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). To obtain MgSO4, you would typically react a magnesium compound with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). However, the provided details pertain to calculating the concentration (mass percent) of MgSO4 in a mixture using gravimetric analysis.
For this, the experiment involves dissolving the solid mixture containing MgSO4 in water, followed by the addition of barium nitrate (Ba(NO3)2), causing the precipitation of barium sulfate (BaSO4). To determine the concentration of MgSO4, use the mass of the precipitated BaSO4. One mole of MgSO4 will precipitate one mole of BaSO4.
By using the molar masses of BaSO4 and MgSO4, you can find the mass of MgSO4 corresponding to the precipitated BaSO4, and from there calculate the mass percent of MgSO4 in the original mixture.