IGCSE Chemistry Chemical testing and analysis

This document contains a list of every chemical test you are required to know for the
paper 6 exam. Fill in the name of the test or how to carry it out in the ‘test’ column,
then give the positive result in the ‘result’ column.

ANIONS
ION TEST POSITIVE
RESULT
Carbonate CO32-

Nitrate NO3-

Sulfate SO42-

Sulfite SO32-

Chloride Cl-

Bromide Br-

Iodide I-

ANIONS are negatively charged ions, with more electrons than protons. They
are attracted to the ANODE during electrolysis, and are made from NON-
METAL elements.
Chloride, Bromide and Iodide are known as HALIDE ions.

CATIONS
ION TEST POSITIVE
RESULT
Ammonium NH4+

Zinc Zn2+
Aluminium Al3+

Calcium Ca2+

Copper Cu2+

Chromium Cr 2+

Iron (II) Fe2+

Iron (III) Fe3+

CATIONS are negatively charged ions, with fewer electrons than protons. They
are attracted to the CATHODE during electrolysis. All metal ions are cations,
and there are some non-metal cations.

GASES
GAS TEST POSITIVE
RESULT
Oxygen O2

Hydrogen H2

Carbon dioxide
CO2
Chlorine Cl2

Ammonia
NH4

Sulfur Dioxide
SO2

Oxygen, Hydrogen and Chlorine are elements, and are

DIATOMIC molecules. Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide and
Sulfur Dioxide are COMPOUNDS.

OTHER SUBSTANCES
SUBSTANCE TEST POSITIVE
RESULT
Water

Acid

Base

Alkane

Alkene

Alcohol
Carboxylic acid

Alkane, Alkene, Alcohols and Carboxylic acids are

ORGANIC chemicals, meaning they contain carbon
structures. They are not molecules but rather classes of
molecules called HOMOLOGOUS SERIES.
FLAME TESTS
These are the colours that compounds containing certain
metal ions will burn in a flame.

ION FLAME COLOUR

Potassium K+

Sodium Na+

Lithium Li+

Copper Cu2+

Calcium Ca2+