Question

A student was given a solid containing a mixture of nitrate salts. The sample completely dissolved in water, and upon addition of dilute HCl , no precipitate formed. The pH was lowered to about 1 and H2S was bubbled through the solution. No precipitate formed. The pH was adjusted to 8 and H2S was again bubbled in. This time, a precipitate formed. Which compounds might have been present in the unknown?

a. Ca(NO3)2
b. AgNO3
c. Fe(NO3)3
d. Cr(NO3)3
e. Cu(NO3)2
f. KNO3
g. Bi(NO3)2

Answer 1

Fe(NO3)3, Cr(NO3)3, Co(NO3)3

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the question, no precipitate is observed when HCl was added. This means that we must rule out AgNO3.

Again, the sulphides of Cu^2+, Bi^3+ are soluble in acidic medium but according to the question, the sulphides do not precipitate at low pH hence Cu(NO3)2 and Bi(NO3)3 are both ruled out.

The sulphides of Fe^3+, Cr^3+ and Co^3+ all form precipitate in basic solution hence Fe(NO3)3, Cr(NO3)3, Co(NO3)3 may be present.

The presence of Ca(NO3)2 and KNO3 may be confirmed by flame tests.