Chemical tests

Inorganic Chemistry

Testing for gases

1. Hydrogen gas – colourless, odourless, neutral, flammable, lighter than air

Test : Hold a lighted splint to the mouth of the tube containing the gas.
Observation : Hydrogen gas explodes with a squeaky pop.

Reaction:

2H2 (g) + O2 (g) -> 2H2O (g)

2. Oxygen gas – colourless, odourless, neutral, feeds fire, same weight as atmospheric air
Test : Hold a glowing splint to the mouth of the tube containing the gas.
Observation : Oxygen gas relights relights the glowing splint.

3. Carbon dioxide gas – colourless, odourless, acidic, extinguishes fire, heavier than air
Test : Bubble through limewater(calcium hydroxide solution).
Observation : Carbon dioxide gas turns limewater milky.

Reaction : As limewater is calcium hydroxide solution, carbon dioxide reacts with it to form a
white precipitate of calcium carbonate.

Ca(OH)2 (aq) + CO2 (g) -> CaCO3 (s) + H2O (l)

4. Chlorine gas – greenish, highly toxic, acidic, bleaching, heavier than air
Test : Hold a damp litmus paper or universal indicator paper to the gas.
Observation : Chlorine gas bleaches(decolourises) the damp litmus/ universal indicator paper.

5. Sulphur dioxide gas – colourless, pungent, acidic, bleaching, heavier than air
Same as Chlorine gas

Carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and Chlorine gases are acidic.

6. Ammonia gas – colourless, pungent, alkaline, lighter than air

Test : Hold a damp red litmus paper to the gas.
Observation : Turn damp red litmus paper blue.
(Ammonia is the only alkaline gas that you will meet at international GCSE)

Other gases in GCSE syllabus but not necessary in identification

Carbon monoxide – colourless, odourless, toxic(binds haemoglobin and deprives oxygen
transport), neutral, lighter than air
Sulphur trioxide – Colourless, acidic(forms sulphuric acid with water), heavier than air

Nitrogen – colourless, odourless, neutral, coolant gas, pretty much inert, makes up most of
atmospheric air

Nitrogen dioxide – Brownish, pungent, acidic, toxic, heavier than air

Testing for water

Test 1 : Use anhydrous copper(II) sulphate crystals.

Observation : Water turns white anhydrous copper(II) sulphate blue by converting it to hydrated
copper(II) sulphate.

Anhydrous copper(II) sulphate + Water -> Hydrated copper(II) sulphate

CuSO4 (s) + 5 H2O (l) -> CuSO4. 5H2O (s)

Anhydrous copper(II) sulphate lacks water of crystallisation and is white. Dropping water on to it
replaces the water of crystallisation and turns it blue.

Testing for ions

Testing for cations ( positive ions ) using flame test.

Flame test

Different Metal Ions produce different flame colours when they are heated strongly. This is the
basis of flame test.

Dip a clean wire loop into conc. H2SO4

Dip the loop back into a solution of metal salt being tested
Hold the loop into the edge of the blue flame from a Bunsen burner
Observe and record the flame colour produced
 Testing for cations using NaOH solution

Ion Colou On In excess of On In excess of

r addition NaOH(aq) addition NH3(aq)
of of
NaOH NH3(aq)
(aq)
Ca2+ White White No change No -
ppt visible
ppt
Al3+ White White Dissolves to White No
ppt a colourless ppt change(white
solution(as ppt remains)
Al(OH)3 is
amphoteric)
Zn2+ White White Dissolves to White Dissolves to a
ppt a colourless ppt colourless
solution(as solution(as
 Zn(OH)2 is Zn forms an
amphoteric) ammonium
complex)
Cu2+ Blue Light No Light Dissolves to a
blue change(ppt blue ppt deep blue
ppt remains) solution
Fe2+ Green Green No Green No
ppt change(ppt ppt change(ppt
remains) remains)
Cr3+ Green Green Dissolves to Green No
ppt a green ppt change(ppt
solution remains)
Fe3+ Brown Brown No Brown No
ppt change(ppt ppt change(ppt
remains) remains)

Testing for anions ( negative ions )

Tests for halides

Halide ion With AgNO3 and HNO3 acid With Pb(NO3)2 and HNO3 acid
Cl- AgCl White ppt PbCl2
White ppt
Br- AgBr PbBr2
Cream ppt Cream ppt
I- AgI PbI2
Yellow ppt Yellow

Tests for polyatomic anions

CO3 2- Carbonate ion

Test : Add a small amount of dil.HCl acid

Observation : if a gas is given off that turns limewater milky, it is the CO3 2- ions.

SO3 2- Sulphite ion

Test : Add a small amount of dil. HCl acid and heat

Observation : if a gas is given off that turns acidified potassium permanganate soaked paper
from purple to colourless, it is sulphite ions.

SO3 2-(aq) + 2H+ (aq) -> H2O(l) + SO2(g)

SO4 2- Sulphate ion

Test : Add a small amount of dil. HCl and BaNO3 solution

Observation : A white precipitate forms.

Ba2+(aq) + SO4 2-(aq) -> BaSO4(s)

NO3 - Nitrate ion

Test : Add NaOH(aq), small pieces of Al foil and gently heat.

Observation : if a gas is given off that turns damp red litmus blue, it is NO3 – ion.

NH4 +Ammonium ion

Test : Add NaOH(aq) and heat.

Observation : if a gas is given off that turns damp red litmus blue, it is NH4 + ion.