Sulfate and carbonate solubility of Groups 1 and 2

A section of the Periodic Table with the tiles for elements in Group 1 and 2 visible in red and orange respectively

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Try this microscale practical to explore the properties of elements in Groups 1 and 2 as they form various precipitates. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students add drops of sullfate and carbonate solutions to Group 1 or 2 metal ions and see whether any precipitates form. They observe that no precipitates form in Group 1, indicating that Group 1 carbonates and sulfates are soluble, while the behaviour of Group 2 is more variable.

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