Chemistry Form Four: Chapter 8 - Preparation of Insoluble Salt

Insoluble salt can be prepared by using double decomposition reaction or precipitation reaction. A precipitate is a solid that forms out of solution. For an insoluble salt such as SILVER CHLORIDE, you need to find a soluble SILVER compound and a soluble CHLORIDE compound.

• A good choice for the soluble silver compound is SILVER NITRATE because almost all nitrates are soluble.

• A good choice for the soluble chloride compound is to use a sodium salt because almost all sodium salts are soluble. 

 The precipitate forms because the solid (AgCl) is insoluble in water.

The remaining sodium nitrate is soluble and so only the silver chloride will be precipitated. Once prepared, collect the salt by filtration and wash the solid. Dry it with a few sheets of filter paper.

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