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Lv 5
? asked in Science & MathematicsChemistry · 8 years ago

Help with a chemistry homework question?

The question states:

"Suppose you see a video where someone adds sodium nitrate to tap water and a precipitate forms. The person then concludes that the water contains lead. Why is the student wrong?"

I have an idea of how to go about it but am still confused. Your help is greatly appreciated!

2 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    All nitrates are water soluble. There could not have been a precipitate. There could not have been lead. The video presenter is an environmental activist who wants to goose people up. The student was not wrong.

  • BriaR
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    All sodium salts are water soluble. All nitrate salts are water soluble.

    There is no way you could ever get a precipitate adding sodium nitrate to tap water.

    The video is a fake.

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