Gravimetric analysis experimental errors and limitations

Incomplete dissolving of chenical under analysis

ERROR:The filtrate will contain less moles of chemical than it should, calculating to a lower mass of the unknown chemical

Not washing the precipitate with water before drying

ERROR: Unreacted reagent and other impurities will remain with the precipitate, calculating to a higher mass of the unknown chemical

Not completely drying the precipitate before it's weighed

ERROR: remaining water will be weighed with the precipitate, calculating to a higher mass of the unknown chemical

Failure to add excess reagent to chemical under analysis

ERROR:Not all of the chemical under analysis will react, calculating to a lower mass of the unknown substance

The degree of which the precipitate dissolves in water

LIMITATION: No chemical is completely insoluble, calculating to a lower mass of the unknown chemical

The degree to which the chemical reacted with reagent

LIMITATION: There is a chance that not all of the unknown chemical fully reacted, calculating to a lower mass of the unknown chemical

The extent to which co-precipitation occurs

LIMITATION: Other chemicals might have reacted with excess reagent as well to create other precipitates, resulting in a higher mass of the unknown chemical

The precipitate is 100% insoluble

ASSUMPTION: No chemical is fully insoluble

Only the unknown chemical reacts with the excess reagent

ASSUMPTION: Some impurities could react

All of the unknown chemical reacts with the excess reagent

ASSUMPTION: There is a chance that not all of it reacts

The unknown chemical is completely soluble in the solvent

ASSUMPTION: No chemical is completely soluble