1(xii)
Which pair of reactants can be best used to produce lead (II) sulphate?
- (a)Sulphuric acid + Lead
- (b)Sulphuric acid + Lead hydroxide
- (c)Sodium sulphate + Lead nitrate
- (d)Potassium sulphate + Lead oxide
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Sodium sulphate + Lead nitrate
Reason — Both sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) and lead(II) nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] are readily soluble in water. When their aqueous solutions are mixed, a double-decomposition reaction occurs, forming insoluble lead(II) sulphate (PbSO4) as a white precipitate:
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) ⟶ PbSO4(s) ↓ + 2NaNO3(aq)
Because the desired product precipitates out directly and the by-product (sodium nitrate) remains in solution, this pair of reactants is the most convenient for preparing pure lead(II) sulphate.