Thursday, April 22, 2

021
Identifying Ions and Gases
• Describe and conduct tests to determine chemicals
present in unknown substances

Starter: What ions are formed when these ionic compounds spilt?
NaCl, CaCO3, CuSO4, MgO
Na+ Cl-
Ca2+ CO32-
Cu2+ SO42-
Mg2+ O2-
 CATIONS ANIONS

• Cations are positively • Anions are negatively

charged ions charged ions
• Generally these are metals • Generally these are non
as they lose electrons metals as they accept
easily electrons easily
Testing for unknown substances
 Cations - flame test
A solid sample of the
compound is placed in a flame
and the colour produced
identifies the cation

Blue-green Copper Cu 2+
 Cations- Adding sodium hydroxide
Take an aqueous solution of
cation eg. CuSO4
Add an excess of sodium
hydroxide.
An insoluble precipitate is
formed which has a specific
colour for each cation.
See table on p.299
 Cations - Ammonia solution
Many cation compounds form white precipitate when reacted with sodium
hydroxide.

If this happens, we can add ammonia solution to the cation. This produces
different results which can distinguish exactly what the cation is.
Anions- testing to find carbonates CO3 2-

Add dilute hydrochloric acid, bubble the gas through

limewater
 Anions- testing for halides Cl , Br - -

Bromide and chloride ions are group 7 halides.

1. Acidify the reaction by adding a couple of drops of

nitric acid
2. Add silver nitrate. A precipitate will form.
 Anions- testing for nitrate NO3 -

We can test for this by reducing the nitrate to ammonia NH 3

1. Add sodium hydroxide

2. Add aluminium (powder or foil)
3. Heat strongly

A strong ammonia smell is produced. The gas can be tested using

litmus paper. It will turn blue (alkali)
 Anions- testing for sulphate SO4 2-

1. Acidify the reaction using dilute hydrochloric acid

2. Add a few drops of Barium chloride

A white precipitate of barium sulphate ions is formed

 Testing for gases
Carbon dioxide: Bubble through limewater- Turns cloudy white

Hydrogen: Use a lit splint- Flammable and produce a ‘squeaky

pop’

Oxygen: Use a glowing splint- It will re-light

Ammonia: Damp red litmus paper- Turns blue (alkali)

Chlorine: Damp blue litmus paper- Turns red, then bleaches to

white
LAB: Use your worksheet with cation and anion tests
to determine unknown compounds
You have four unknown substances.

Carry out tests using the different methods described to

determine what the compounds are.

A=
B=
C=
D=
Answer Questions from the Science Coursebook

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