Could someone please help me with this:
When doing a gravimetric analysis prac, students were asked to collect 1g of Fertiliser and grind it. After grinding it, it was dissolved with water. This solution was filtered and HCl was added to the filtrate. Then, it was heated and after it boiled, BaCl2 was added to form a precipitate BaSO4.
My question is, why was HCl added? Is it because it would cancel out the other ions in the fertiliser so that it wouldn't form precipitates with Barium? or is it because the fertiliser solution was alkaline (since fertilisers contain NH4 and are generally more basic) and so adding an acid would neutralise it?
It would be great if someone helped me out