Qualitative Chemical Analysis

Species tested Test Result & Equation

Test for Cations

Li+
Flame Test Red flame
Lithium ion
K+
Flame Test Lilac flame
Potassium ion
Na+
Flame test Yellow flame
Sodium ion
Ca2+
Flame test Brick red flame
Calcium ion
Cu2+
Flame test Blue-green flame
Copper (II) ion
Ba2+
Flame test Pale green
Barium ions

Flame test is used to show the presence of a certain metal ion in a compound:
• A platinum or nichrome wire is cleaned by dipping in concentrated hydrochloric acid and then
holding it in a hot Bunsen flame.
• This is repeated until the wire does not give any colour in the flame.
• The wire is dipped back into the concentrated acid, then into a tiny sample of the solid you are
testing and back into the flame.

Species tested Reagent used Result & Equation

An alkali, for eg.
NaOH(aq) No precipitate but a pungent smelling gas is produced that
NH4 + turns damp red litmus paper blue.
Ammonium ion add to an aqueous solution
∆
of the specimen to be tested NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq) → NH3(g) + H2O(l)
then warm gently
NaOH(aq) A white precipitate is formed that does not dissolve in
excess NaOH(aq)
add to an aqueous solution
2+
of the specimen tested Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Ca(OH)2(s)
Ca
Calcium ion NH3(aq)

add to an aqueous solution No reaction / no precipitate

of the specimen tested

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Species tested Reagent used Result & Equation
NaOH(aq) A white precipitate is formed that
dissolves in excess NaOH(aq)
add to an aqueous
solution of the Al3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) → Al(OH)3(s)
Al3+
specimen tested
Aluminium
NH3(aq) A white precipitate of Al(OH)3 is formed
ion
that does not dissolve in excess NH3(aq).
add to an aqueous
solution of the Al3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) → Al(OH)3(s)
specimen tested
NaOH(aq)

add to an aqueous In both cases:

solution of the
Zn2+ specimen tested A white precipitate of Zn(OH)2 is formed
Zinc ion NH3(aq) that dissolves in excess reagent

add to an aqueous Zn2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Zn(OH)2(s)

solution of the
specimen tested
NaOH(aq)

add to an aqueous In both cases:

solution of the
Fe2+ specimen tested Green precipitate is formed that does not
Iron (II) ion NH3(aq) dissolve in excess reagent

add to an aqueous Fe2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Fe(OH)2(s)

solution of the
specimen tested
NaOH(aq)

add to an aqueous In both cases:

solution of the
Fe3+ specimen tested Red-brown precipitate is formed that does
Iron (III) ion NH3(aq) not dissolve in excess reagent

add to an aqueous Fe3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) → Fe(OH)3(s)

solution of the
specimen tested

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Species tested Reagent used Result & Equation
NaOH(aq) Blue precipitate of is formed that does not
dissolve in excess NaOH(aq)
add to an aqueous
solution of the Cu2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s)
Cu2+ specimen tested
Copper (II)
NH3(aq) Blue precipitate of Cu(OH)2 is formed that
ion
dissolves in excess NH3(aq) to form a
add to an aqueous deep blue solution.
solution of the
specimen tested Cu2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s)
NaOH(aq) Grey green precipitate is formed that
dissolves in excess NaOH(aq)
add to an aqueous
solution of the Cr3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) → Cr(OH)3(s)
Cr3+
specimen tested
Chromium(III)
NH3(aq) Grey-green precipitate that does not
ion
dissolve in excess NH3(aq)
add to an aqueous
solution of the Cr3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) → Cr(OH)3(s)
specimen tested

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 Test for Anions
Species
Test Result & Equation
tested
Effervescence/bubbles or fizzing is
observed.

A colorless, odorless gas is produced that

Dilute acid turns lime water milky when passed
(HCl(aq) or through it for a short time.
HNO3(aq))
CO32-
MCO3(s) + 2H+(aq) → M2+(aq) +
Carbonate
Add dilute acid to a H2O(l) + CO2(g)
ion
sample of the OR
specimen to be tested CO32-(aq) + 2H+(aq) → H2O(l) +
(solid or aqueous) CO2(g)

If the gas is passed through lime water for

a long time the milkiness dissolves and
the solution becomes clear again.
Ba(NO3)2(aq)
White precipitate is formed that does not
add to an aqueous
dissolve in acid.
solution of the
specimen to be tested
Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) → BaSO4(s)
followed by a dilute
acid (HCl(aq) or
SO42- The solution is acidified to make sure
HNO3(aq))
Sulphate ion there is no carbonate ion CO32- or
OR
sulphite ion SO32-.
Acidified
Ba(NO3)2(aq)
If a carbonate ion CO32- or sulphite ion
SO32- is present, they will not
add to an aqueous
precipitate in acidified reagent.
solution of the
specimen to be tested

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Species tested Reagent used Result & Equation
A colorless, chocking gas is formed that
Add dilute
will decolorize purple acidified aqueous
hydrochloric or nitric
potassium manganate(VII)
acid to a solid or
aqueous sample then
SO32- MSO3(s) + 2H+(aq) → M2+(aq) +
warm gently
Sulphite ion H2O(l) + SO2(g)
OR 2-
OR SO3 (aq) + 2H+(aq) → H2O(l) +
Add acidified
SO2(g)
potassium
manganate(VII)
Purple solution decolorized
Species tested Test Result & Equation

Aluminium +
NaOH(aq)
A pungent smelling gas is produced that
NO3- turns damp red litmus paper blue.
add to an aqueous
Nitrate ion
solution of the
(Ammonia gas)
specimen to be tested
then warm gently
AgNO3(aq)

add to an aqueous
solution of the
specimen to be tested
followed by dilute
acid A white precipitate is formed, which upon
Cl- (HCl(aq) or exposure to light turns violet then black.
Chloride ion HNO3(aq))
OR Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq) → AgCl(s)
Acidified
AgNO3(aq)

add to an aqueous
solution of the
specimen to be tested

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Species tested Reagent used Result & Equation
AgNO3(aq)

add to an aqueous
solution of the
specimen to be tested
followed by dilute
A pale cream precipitate is formed, which
acid
upon exposure to light turns violet then
Br- (HCl(aq) or
black.
Bromide ion HNO3(aq))
.
OR + -
Ag (aq) + Br (aq) → AgBr(s)
Acidified
AgNO3(aq)

add to an aqueous
solution of the
specimen to be tested
AgNO3(aq)

add to an aqueous
solution of the
specimen to be tested
followed by dilute
A yellow precipitate is formed, which
acid
upon exposure to light turns violet then
I- (HCl(aq) or
black.
Iodide ion HNO3(aq))
OR
Ag+(aq) + I-(aq) → AgI(s)
Acidified
AgNO3(aq)

add to an aqueous
solution of the
specimen to be tested
The acid is added to exclude other substances that might also produce
precipitates with silver nitrate solution.

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 Test for Gases

H2
Lit splint Explodes (burns with a squeaky popping sound)
Hydrogen gas
O2
Glowing splint Glowing splint relights
Oxygen gas
NH3
Damp red litmus paper Turns blue.
Ammonia gas

Pass the gas through lime water for a short time, lime water
turns cloudy white (milky).
CO2
Carbon dioxide Lime water Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
gas
If the gas is passed through lime water for a long time the
precipitate dissolves and the solution becomes clear again.

Cl2 blue litmus paper turns red then gets bleached

Damp litmus paper
Chlorine gas red litmus paper gets bleached

SO2 acidified aqueous

Decolorizes the purple solution
Sulfur dioxide potassium manganate (VII)

Turns blue cobalt chloride paper pink

anhydrous copper(II)
sulfate CuSO4(s) + 5H2O(l/g) → CuSO4.5H2O(s)
H2O white blue
Water vapour
OR liquid Turns white anhydrous copper(II) sulfate blue
anhydrous cobalt(II)
chloride paper CoCl2(s) + 6H2O(l) → CoCl2.6H2O(s)
blue pink

Cobalt chloride paper is a filter paper that has been dipped into cobalt (II) chloride solution then dried
thoroughly in a dessicator.
A dessicator is a piece of glassware or a small cabinet which contains a tray of some substance that
absorbs water.
Properties of Gases:
Gas Colour Odour Method of collection
Less dense than air, collected
by:
H2(g)
Colourless Odourless • Upward delivery
Hydrogen
• Over water (insoluble)
• Using a gas syringe

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 Density close to that of air,
O2(g) collected:
Colourless Odourless
Oxygen • Over water (insoluble)
• Using a gas syringe
Denser than air, collected by:
CO2(g) • Downward delivery
Colourless Odourless
Carbon dioxide • Using a gas syringe
• Over water (insoluble)
Denser than air, soluble,
Cl2(g) collected by:
Pale green Has a pungent smell
Chlorine • Downward delivery
• Using a gas syringe
Denser than air, collected by:
SO2(g) Smells like burnt
Colourless • Downward delivery
Sulphur dioxide matches
• Using a gas syringe
Less dense than air, by:
NH3(g)
Colourless Has a pungent smell • Upward delivery
Ammonia
• Using a gas syringe

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CQD 1.
a. How can you verify the presence of H+ ions in a solution using a pH meter?

b. How can you verify the presence of H+ ions in a solution using the materials listed below? Write the net
ionic equation for each reaction and report any expected observations.
i. Sodium carbonate
ii. A piece of magnesium ribbon

c. How are the ions of lithium, sodium, and potassium identified?

d. A flame test is conducted on a sample of calcium chloride. What color will the flame have?

e. How can you test for calcium ions using a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide? Write the net ionic
equation for the reaction and report the expected observation.

CQD 2. How can you test for the following ions using sodium hydroxide and ammonium solutions? Write the
net ionic equation for the reaction between the ions tested and the alkali used, and report any expected
observations.

a. Al3+
b. Zn2+

CQD 3.
a. How can you test for the following ions using sodium hydroxide solution? Write the net ionic equation for
the reaction, and report the expected observations.

i. Fe2+
ii. Fe3+
iii. Cu2+
iv. Cr3+

b. How can you test for copper(II) ions using ammonia solution? Report the expected observations. (No
equations are necessary.)

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CQD 4. How can you identify ammonium ions using a solution of sodium hydroxide?
Write the net ionic equation for the reaction, and report any expected observations.

CQD 5.
a. How can you verify the presence of OH- ions in solution using a pH meter?

b. How can you test for the following ions using silver nitrate solution? Write the net ionic equations for the
reactions and report the expected observations.

i. Cl-
ii. Br-
iii. I-

CQD 6. How can you test for the following ions using hydrochloric acid solution? Write the net ionic equation
for the reaction, and report the expected observations.

i. CO32-
ii. HCO3-
iii. SO32-

CQD 7.
a. How can you test for SO42- ions in a solution? Write the net ionic equation for the reaction, and report the
expected observations.

b. Write the net ionic equation for the reaction that will take place when a few drops of sodium sulfide, Na2S,
are added to a solution of lead(II) nitrate, Pb(NO3)2(aq). What observations are expected in this case?

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CQD 8. Describe how each of the following gases are tested. Write an equation for expected reactions (where
applicable).

Test Observation (Reaction where applicable)

H2
Hydrogen gas

O2
Oxygen gas

NH3
Ammonia gas

CO2
Carbon dioxide gas

Cl2
Chlorine gas

SO2
Sulfur dioxide

CQD 9. [G] Identify the unknown gases from the given observations.

a. A yellow-green gas with a chocking smell that bleached a moist litmus paper.
b. A colorless odorless gas that lit a glowing splint.
c. A colorless odorless gas that made a ‘pop’ sound when approached by a lit splint.
d. A colorless gas with a pungent smell that turned moist litmus paper blue.
e. A colorless gas that turns lime water milky. f . A colorless gas that decolorizes a purple
acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII).

CQD 10. How can you test for the presence of water in a sample of colorless liquid? Write an equation for the
expected reaction.

CQD 11. How can you distinguish between hexane and hexene both of which are colorless liquids at room
temperature? Do not write equations for any expected reactions.

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CQD 12. [T] A student is asked to identify two salts T and W.

a. The student noted the following observations while testing salt T.

Observation 1: solution of T forms a white precipitate with aqueous sodium hydroxide and the
precipitate does not dissolve upon adding excess of sodium hydroxide.

Observation 2: solution of T forms a yellow precipitate with acidified aqueous silver nitrate.

i. What is the cation of salt T?

ii. What is the anion of salt T?
iii. Deduce the formula of salt T.

b. The student noted the following observations while testing salt W.

Observation 1: salt W gives a red color in a flame test

Observation 2: solution of W releases a gas that turns blue wet litmus red upon addition of dilute
hydrochloric acid and gentle heating.

i. What is the cation of salt W?

ii. What is the anion of salt W?
iii. Deduce the formula of salt W.
iv. Describe how a flame test is done on a sample of salt W.

CQD 13. [T] A student was analyzing two solids A and B.

Solid A is zinc iodide but solid B is unknown. a. Tests on solid A.

Solid A was dissolved in water and the resulting solution was divided into three test tubes in equal portions.

Complete the expected observations:

Portion Test performed Observations
First portion A few drops of aqueous sodium hydroxide
were added
An excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide was
then added to this mixture
Second A few drops of aqueous ammonia were added
portion An excess of aqueous ammonia was then
added to this mixture
Third portion dilute nitric acid and aqueous silver nitrate
were added to the solution.

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b. Tests on solid B
After dissolving solid B in water, the following observations were recorded while testing the solution B.

Test on solution of B Observations

dilute solution of sodium hydroxide Pale blue precipitate formed
was added
Aluminum foil and aqueous sodium Bubbles released that turns wet litmus blue
hydroxide were added, then the
mixture was heated and the gas
produced was tested with litmus paper

Write the chemical formula for solid B

CQD 14. [T] A student analyzed soluble carbonate salt R.

a. No observations were recorded when the carbonate salt R was slightly heated in a test tube. What does this
test indicate about salt R?

b. Salt R was dissolved in water and divided equally into four test tubes.
The following tests were conducted on the test tubes. Complete the observations for each of the following
tests.

test 1: a small amount of dilute of hydrochloric acid was added to the first test tube. The mixture effervesces
producing a gas.

test 2: The gas released was bubbled in lime water solution.

i. Observation:
ii. Identify the gas released.

c. Two more tests were conducted and the following observations were recorded.

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 tests on solution of salt R observations
test 3: effervescence

To a new test-tube of solution, dilute pungent gas given off

sodium hydroxide was added.
gas turned damp litmus paper blue

The mixture was then warmed carefully.

i. Identify the ion present in the solution from the observation of test 3?
ii. Why did the damp litmus turn blue?
iii. Identify the gas released.

d. Write the chemical formula for salt R.

e. Why it’s necessary to warm carefully the mixture in test 3? Explain your answer.

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