[DesertRose]

Hi, what are the steps that should be taken in the investigation of the differences in solubility of the sulphates of magnesium, calcium and barium? I saw a test which included adding barium chloride?? I am not sure if this is the right test....if it is, then how does that experiment tell you the differences in solubility--since the white precipitate is barium sulphate and not Mg, Ca??

Please explain, i'm really confused..
Thank You!

[Hunter2]

If you go down the 2. Group of elements, the solubility of the sulfates will be more and more less.

In your case the magnesium sulfate has the best solubility.

If you now add Calcium ions in form of the Chloride to the magnesium sulfate solution, then you will see a precipitation. This is Calcium sulfate.

In the same way Barium chloride will form the precipitate with the magnesium sulfate  and calcium sulfate solution.

[Big-Daddy]

Why do the solubility of sulphates and carbonates decrease down Group 2? Why does the solubiliy of hydroxides increase?