Potassium chloride is a mineral found in many foods. A student wants to make a salt called potassium chloride, KCl, by neutralisation of an acid by an alkali. Describe how to make a pure, dry sample of potassium chloride in a laboratory by neutralisation. – 7559

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1. To make potassium chloride, I would use hydrochloric acid (acid) and potassium hydroxide (base).
   First, I would measure a known volume of hydrochloric acid into a beaker. Then I would add potassium hydroxide solution slowly while stirring until the solution is neutral – I can check this using a pH indicator like phenolphthalein or universal indicator.
   Once neutralised, the mixture contains only potassium chloride and water. I would transfer the solution to an evaporating basin and gently heat it to remove some of the water, taking care not to overheat. Finally, I would leave the solution to cool so crystals of potassium chloride form, then filter them and dry them with filter paper to obtain a pure, dry sample.

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