IGCSE CHEMISTRY

In this lesson we will cover:

Tests for Cations

Tests for Anions

Tests for the gases

 Tests for ions and gases

Describe tests for the cations:

Tests for
i Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using flame tests
ii NH4+, using sodium hydroxide solution and identifying

ions and the ammonia evolved

iii Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, using sodium hydroxide solution

gases Describe tests for the anions:

i Cl-, Br- and I-, using dilute nitric acid and silver
nitrate solution
ii SO42-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and barium
chloride solution
iii CO32-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and identifying
the carbon dioxide evolved
Describe tests for the gases:
i hydrogen
ii oxygen
iii carbon dioxide
iv ammonia
v chlorine.
What’s a cation (and now
we mention it, what’s an
anion?)
What’s a cation (and now
we mention it, what’s an
anion?)
What’s a cation (and now
we mention it, what’s an
anion?)

Cations are
positively
charged ions
What’s a cation (and now
we mention it, what’s an
anion?)

Cations are
positively
Cations are
positively
charged ions

charged ions
 Sodium ions, Na+, and
Magnesium ions, Mg2+,
are examples of cations
 Sodium ions, Na+, and
Magnesium ions, Mg2+,
are examples of cations

Group 1 metals form

monovalent cations
Eg. Lithium forms Li+
 Sodium ions, Na+, and
Magnesium ions, Mg2+,
are examples of cations

Group 2 metals form

divalent cations
Eg. Calcium forms Ca2+
 Sodium ions, Na+, and
Magnesium ions, Mg2+,
are examples of cations

Group 3 metals form

trivalent cations
Eg. Aluminium forms Al3+
What’s a cation (and now
we mention it, what’s an
anion?)

Anions are
negatively
Anions are
negatively
charged ions

charged ions
Chloride ions, Cl-, and
oxide ions, O2-, are
examples of anions
Chloride ions, Cl-, and
oxide ions, O2-, are
examples of anions

Group 6 elements form

divalent anions
Eg. sulphide forms S2-
Chloride ions, Cl-, and
oxide ions, O2-, are
examples of anions

Group 7 elements form

monovalent anions
Eg. fluoride forms F-
 Common cations
Monovalent Divalent Trivalent

Lithium Li+ Barium Ba2+ Aluminium Al3+

Potassium K+ Calcium Ca2+ Iron(III) Fe3+
Sodium Na+ Magnesium Mg2+
Copper(I) Cu+ Zinc Zn2+
Silver Ag+ Iron(II) Fe2+
Hydrogen H+ Tin(II) Sn2+
Lead(II) Pb2+
Copper(II) Cu2+
 Common anions
Monovalent Divalent Trivalent

Bromide Br- Oxide O2- Phosphate PO43-

Chloride Cl- Carbonate CO32-
Iodide I- Sulphate SO42-
Hydroxide OH- Sulphite SO32-
Nitrate NO3- Sulphide S2-
 g) Tests for ions and gases

Lesson 5 2.37 describe tests for the cations:

i Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using flame tests
ii NH4+, using sodium hydroxide solution and identifying
the ammonia evolved
g) Tests for iii Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, using sodium hydroxide solution
2.38 describe tests for the anions:
ions and i Cl-, Br- and I-, using dilute nitric acid and silver
nitrate solution
gases ii SO42-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and barium
chloride solution
iii CO32-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and identifying
the carbon dioxide evolved
2.39 describe tests for the gases:
i hydrogen
ii oxygen
iii carbon dioxide
iv ammonia
v chlorine.
Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Instructions for a flame test:

1. Clean the flame test metal loop wire by dipping it
into hydrochloric acid and then holding it in a hot
Bunsen flame.
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Instructions for a flame test:

1. Clean the flame test metal loop wire by dipping it
into hydrochloric acid and then holding it in a hot
Bunsen flame.
2. Repeat this until the wire doesn't produce any
colour in the flame.
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Instructions for a flame test:

1. Clean the flame test metal loop wire by dipping it
into hydrochloric acid and then holding it in a hot
Bunsen flame.
2. Repeat this until the wire doesn't produce any
colour in the flame.
3. When the wire is clean, moisten it again with
some of the acid and then dip it into a small amount
of the solid you are testing so that some sticks to
the wire.
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Instructions for a flame test:

4. Place the wire back in the flame again.
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Instructions for a flame test:

4. Place the wire back in the flame again.
5. If the flame colour is weak, it is often worthwhile
to dip the wire back in the acid again and put it
back into the flame as if you were cleaning it. You
often get a very short but intense flash of colour
by doing that.
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Instructions for a flame test:

4. Place the wire back in the flame again.
5. If the flame colour is weak, it is often worthwhile
to dip the wire back in the acid again and put it
back into the flame as if you were cleaning it. You
often get a very short but intense flash of colour
by doing that.

RESULT?
Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests
 Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using
flame tests

Flame test results:

CATION FLAME TEST COLOUR

Lithium RED
STRONG PERSISTENT
Sodium ORANGE
Potassium LILAC (PINK)

Calcium ORANGE-RED
NH4+, using sodium hydroxide
solution and identifying the
ammonia produced
NH4+, using sodium hydroxide
solution and identifying the
ammonia produced

NH4+ is the ammonium ion.

Although not a metal, it is
classified as a cation
because it forms a
positively charged ion.
 NH4+, using sodium hydroxide
solution and identifying the
ammonia produced

Test for NH4+ :

All ammonium salts react with dilute alkalis, such as

sodium hydroxide, to give ammonia.

NH4Cl(aq) + NaOH(aq)  NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + NH3(g)

 NH4+, using sodium hydroxide
solution and identifying the
ammonia produced

Test for NH4+ :

All ammonium salts react with dilute alkalis, such as

sodium hydroxide, to give ammonia.

NH4Cl(aq) + NaOH(aq)  NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + NH3(g)

Because it is an alkaline gas, ammonia will turn red

litmus blue
NH4+, using sodium hydroxide
solution and identifying the
ammonia produced
Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution
Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution

When an iron(II) salt is added to

sodium hydroxide, a dirty green
precipitate of iron(II) hydroxide is
formed.
Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution

When an iron(II) salt is added to

sodium hydroxide, a dirty green
precipitate of iron(II) hydroxide is
formed.

Eg.

Iron + Sodium  Iron + Sodium

sulphate hydroxide hydroxide sulphate

FeSO4 + 2NaOH  Fe(OH)2 + Na2SO4

Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution

When an iron(III) salt is added to

sodium hydroxide, a orange /
brown precipitate of iron(III)
hydroxide is formed.
Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution

When an iron(III) salt is added to

sodium hydroxide, a orange /
brown precipitate of iron(III)
hydroxide is formed.

Eg

Iron + sodium  iron + sodium

chloride hydroxide hydroxide
chloride

Fe(Cl)3 + 3NaOH  Fe(OH)3 + 3NaCl

Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution

When a copper(II) salt is added to

sodium hydroxide, a pale blue
precipitate of copper(II) hydroxide
is formed.
Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using sodium
hydroxide solution

When a copper(II) salt is added to

sodium hydroxide, a pale blue
precipitate of copper(II) hydroxide
is formed.

Eg.

Copper + Sodium  Copper + Sodium

sulphate hydroxide hydroxide
sulphate

CuSO4 + NaOH  Cu(OH)2 + Na2SO4

 g) Tests for ions and gases

Lesson 5 2.37 describe tests for the cations:

i Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using flame tests
ii NH4+, using sodium hydroxide solution and identifying
the ammonia evolved
g) Tests for iii Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, using sodium hydroxide solution
2.38 describe tests for the anions:
ions and i Cl-, Br- and I-, using dilute nitric acid and silver
nitrate solution
gases ii SO42-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and barium
chloride solution
iii CO32-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and identifying
the carbon dioxide evolved
2.39 describe tests for the gases:
i hydrogen
ii oxygen
iii carbon dioxide
iv ammonia
v chlorine.
Cl-, Br- and I- using dilute nitric
acid and silver nitrate solution
Cl-, Br- and I- using dilute nitric
acid and silver nitrate solution

STANDARD PROCEDURE:

Add dilute nitric acid to a

solution of the halide, and
then add silver nitrate
solution.
Cl-, Br- and I- using dilute nitric
acid and silver nitrate solution

RESULT:
With a chloride solution, a
white precipitate of silver
chloride is formed:

NaCl + AgNO3  AgCl + NaNO3

Cl-, Br- and I- using dilute nitric
acid and silver nitrate solution

RESULT:
With a bromide solution, a
pale yellow precipitate of
silver bromide is formed:

NaBr + AgNO3  AgBr + NaNO3

Cl-, Br- and I- using dilute nitric
acid and silver nitrate solution

RESULT:
With an iodide solution, a
yellow precipitate of silver
iodide is formed:

NaI + AgNO3  AgI + NaNO3

Cl-, Br- and I- using dilute nitric
acid and silver nitrate solution

Halide Results:

Chloride Bromide Iodide

SO42- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and barium chloride solution
SO42- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and barium chloride solution

STANDARD PROCEDURE:

Dilute hydrochloric acid is

added to a solution of the
sulphate and then barium
chloride solution is added.
SO42- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and barium chloride solution

RESULT:
A white precipitate shows
the presence of a sulphate

BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

SO42- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and barium chloride solution

Barium sulphate precipitate

CO32- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and identifying the carbon
dioxide evolved
CO32- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and identifying the carbon
dioxide evolved

STANDARD PROCEDURE:

Dilute hydrochloric acid is

added to a solution of the
carbonate.
CO32- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and identifying the carbon
dioxide evolved

RESULT:

A gas, carbon dioxide, is

produced which will turn
limewater cloudy (then
clear again)
CO32- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and identifying the carbon
dioxide evolved

RESULT:
CaCO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq)  CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Calcium + Hydrochloric  Calcium + water + carbon

Carbonate Acid Chloride
dioxide
CO32- , using dilute hydrochloric
acid and identifying the carbon
dioxide evolved

Calcium
Limewater carbonate +
Hydrochloric
acid
 g) Tests for ions and gases

Lesson 5 2.37 describe tests for the cations:

i Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using flame tests
ii NH4+, using sodium hydroxide solution and identifying
the ammonia evolved
g) Tests for iii Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, using sodium hydroxide solution
2.38 describe tests for the anions:
ions and i Cl-, Br- and I-, using dilute nitric acid and silver
nitrate solution
gases ii SO42-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and barium
chloride solution
iii CO32-, using dilute hydrochloric acid and identifying
the carbon dioxide evolved
2.39 describe tests for the gases:
i hydrogen
ii oxygen
iii carbon dioxide
iv ammonia
v chlorine.
Tests for gases

You need
to know
these!
 Tests for gases
1. Hydrogen

Hydrogen gas
Hydrochloric acid
Magnesium ribbon
 Tests for gases
1. Hydrogen

Hydrogen gas
Hydrochloric acid
Magnesium ribbon
 Tests for gases
1. Hydrogen

POP!

Hydrogen gas
Hydrochloric acid
Magnesium ribbon
 Tests for gases
1. Hydrogen

POP!
To test for
hydrogen, use a
burning splint.
Hydrogen gas
The gas will
Hydrochloric acid
explode with a
Magnesium ribbon
squeaky ‘pop’.
 Tests for gases
2. Oxygen

Oxygen gas

Hydrogen peroxide

Manganese (IV) oxide

 Tests for gases
2. Oxygen

Glowing splint

Oxygen gas

Hydrogen peroxide

Manganese (IV) oxide

 Tests for gases
2. Oxygen

Splint re-lights

Oxygen gas

Hydrogen peroxide

Manganese (IV) oxide

 Tests for gases
2. Oxygen
To test for oxygen,
use a glowing splint.
The gas will cause the
splint to re-light.

Splint re-lights

Oxygen gas

Hydrogen peroxide

Manganese (IV) oxide

 Tests for gases
3. Carbon dioxide
Delivery tube

Bubbles of carbon
dioxide
Hydrochloric acid
Limewater

Calcium carbonate
 Tests for gases
3. Carbon dioxide
Delivery tube

Bubbles of carbon
dioxide
Hydrochloric acid
Limewater

Calcium carbonate
 Tests for gases
3. Carbon dioxide
To test for carbon Delivery tube
dioxide, bubble the
gas through
limewater. After a
short while the
limewater will go
milky-white.

Bubbles of carbon
dioxide
Hydrochloric acid
Limewater

Calcium carbonate
 Tests for gases
3. Carbon dioxide
To test for carbon Delivery tube If carbon dioxide
dioxide, bubble the continues to be
gas through bubbled through
limewater. After a limewater, the liquid
short while the will eventually go
limewater will go clear again.
milky-white.

Bubbles of carbon
dioxide
Hydrochloric acid
Limewater

Calcium carbonate
 Tests for gases
4. Ammonia
 Tests for gases
4. Ammonia
 Tests for gases
4. Ammonia

Ammonia gas will turn moist litmus

paper from RED to BLUE
 Tests for gases
5. Chlorine
 Tests for gases
5. Chlorine
 Tests for gases
5. Chlorine

Chlorine gas will turn moist litmus

paper from BLUE to RED, and will
then bleach it WHITE
 Tests for gases
Summary
Positive
Gas Test
result
Burns with a
Hydrogen Burning splint
squeaky pop
Relights a glowing
Oxygen Glowing splint
splint
Bubble through Limewater turns
Carbon dioxide Limewater cloudy
Moist red litmus Turns from red to
Ammonia
paper blue
Moist blue litmus Bleaches the
Chlorine
paper paper