Test (In details)

in the lab
Tests for gases

You have a sample of gas. You think you know what it is, but you’re not
sure. So you need to do a test. Below are some tests for common gases.
Each is based on particular properties of the gas, including its appearance,
and sometimes its smell.
Gas Description and test details
Ammonia, NH3
Properties Ammonia is a colourless alkaline gas with a strong sharp smell.
Test Hold damp indicator paper in it.
Result The indicator paper turns blue. (You may also notice the sharp smell.)
Carbon dioxide, CO2

Properties Carbon dioxide is a colourless, weakly acidic gas. It reacts with limewater (a solution of calcium
hydroxide in water) to give a white precipitate of calcium carbonate:
CO2 (g) 1 Ca(OH)2 (aq) CaCO3 (s) 1 H2O (l)
Test Bubble the gas through limewater.
Result Limewater turns cloudy or milky.
Chlorine, Cl2
Properties Chlorine is a green poisonous gas which bleaches dyes.
Test Hold damp indicator paper in the gas, in a fume cupboard.
Result Indicator paper turns white.
Hydrogen, H2
Properties Hydrogen is a colourless gas which combines violently with oxygen when lit.
Test Collect the gas in a tube and hold a lighted splint to it.
Result The gas burns with a squeaky pop.
Oxygen, O2
Properties Oxygen is a colourless gas. Fuels burn much more readily in it than in air.
Test Collect the gas in a test-tube and hold a glowing splint to it.
Result The splint immediately bursts into flame.
Q
1 a S ketch the complete apparatus you will use to prepare 3 a Name two substances you could use to make ammonia.
and collect carbon dioxide. Label all the parts. b Ammonia cannot be collected over water. Why not?
b H ow will you then test the gas to confirm that it is carbon c The test for ammonia is …… ?
dioxide? 4 It is not a good idea to rely on smell, to identify a gas.
c Write the equation for a positive test reaction. Suggest at least two reasons why.
2 a H ydrogen cannot be collected by upward displacement of 5 To measure the rate of the reaction between magnesium
air. Why not? and hydrochloric acid, you will collect the hydrogen that
b H ydrogen burns with a squeaky pop. Write a balanced forms. Which is better to use for this: a measuring cylinder
equation for the reaction that takes place. over water, or a gas syringe? Give more than one reason.
285
in the lab
19.4 Testing for ions in the lab

Time for detective work!
You have an unknown salt, and you want to find out what it is. Remember CAP! !
This unit gives some tests you can do. But first, note these points: Cations Are Positive.
They would go to the cathode (2).
 Positive ions are also called cations. Negative ions are called anions.
 In each test, either a precipitate forms or a gas you can test.
Complex ions !
Tests for cations  In complex ions, a metal ion is
This table shows tests for the ammonium ion, and several metal ions. surrounded by several negative
 To test for the ammonium ion you can use the unknown salt as a solid, ions, or molecules.
or in aqueous solution. But for metal ions, use their aqueous solutions.  Many transition elements form
complex ions.
 To test for metal cations, you can use dilute sodium hydroxide or
 The copper ion Cu(NH3)421 is
ammonia solution, since both provide hydroxide ions. But the results an example. (See below.)
are not always the same, as you will see below.
Cation Test If the cation is present Ionic equation for the reaction
ammonium Add a little dilute sodium Ammonia gas is given off. NH41 (aq) 1 OH 2 (aq) NH3 (g) 1 H2O (l )
NH41 hydroxide solution. (It turns litmus Blue.)
Heat gently.
copper(II) Add dilute sodium hydroxide A pale blue precipitate forms. Cu 21 (aq) 1 2OH 2 (aq) Cu(OH)2 (s)
Cu21 or ammonia solution.
But it dissolves on adding more The precipitate dissolves again in ammonia
ammonia, giving a deep blue solution because a soluble complex ion forms:
solution. [Cu(NH3)4]2+ (aq).
iron(II) Add dilute sodium hydroxide A pale green precipitate forms. Fe 21 (aq) 1 2OH 2 (aq) Fe(OH)2 (s)
Fe21 or ammonia solution.
iron(III) Add dilute sodium hydroxide A red-brown precipitate forms. Fe 3+ (aq) 1 3OH 2 (aq) Fe(OH)3 (s)
Fe31 or ammonia solution.
aluminium Add dilute sodium hydroxide A white precipitate forms. Al31 (aq) 1 3OH 2 (aq) Al(OH)3 (s)
Al31 or ammonia solution.
It dissolves again on adding The precipitate dissolves in excess sodium
excess sodium hydroxide, giving hydroxide because aluminium hydroxide is
a colourless solution. amphoteric. The soluble aluminate ion forms:
But it will not dissolve if more (Al(OH)42).
ammonia is added instead.
zinc Add dilute sodium hydroxide A white precipitate forms. Zn21 (aq) 1 2OH 2 (aq) Zn(OH)2 (s)
Zn21 or ammonia solution.
It dissolves again on adding more The precipitate dissolves again in sodium
sodium hydroxide or ammonia, hydroxide because zinc hydroxide is amphoteric.
giving a colourless solution. The soluble zincate ion forms: (Zn(OH)42– )
It dissolves again in ammonia solution because

a soluble complex ion forms: [Zn(NH3)4] 21 (aq).
calcium Add dilute sodium hydroxide A white precipitate forms. Ca21 (aq) 1 2OH 2 (aq) Ca(OH)2 (s)
Ca21 solution. It will not dissolve on adding
excess sodium hydroxide.
Add dilute ammonia solution. No precipitate, or very slight

white precipitate.
286
in the lab
Tests for anions

Halide ions (Cl 2, Br 2, I 2)

To a small amount of the solution, add an equal volume of dilute
nitric acid. Then add silver nitrate solution.

Silver halides are insoluble. So if halide ions are present a precipitate
will form. The colour tells you which one. Look at this table:
Precipitate Indicates presence of … Ionic equation for the reaction
white chloride ions, Cl 2 Ag 1 (aq) 1 Cl 2 (aq) AgCl (s)
cream bromide ions, Br 2 Ag 1 (aq) 1 Br 2 (aq) AgBr (s)

 Halides are present. From left to
yellow iodide ions, I 2 Ag 1 (aq) 1 I 2 (aq) AgI (s) right: chloride, bromide, iodide.
Sulfate ions (SO422)


To a small amount of the solution add an equal volume of dilute
hydrochloric acid. Then add barium nitrate solution.
Barium sulfate is insoluble. So if sulfate ions are present a white

precipitate will form. The ionic equation for the reaction is:
Ba21(aq) 1 SO422 (aq) BaSO4 (s)
Nitrate ions (NO32)

 To a small amount of the unknown solid or solution, add a little
sodium hydroxide solution. Then add some small pieces of aluminium
foil, and heat gently.  You need only a small amount of
the unknown substance, in testing for

If ammonia gas is given off, the unknown substance contained nitrate
cations and anions.
ions. The ionic equation for the reaction is:
8Al (s) 1 3NO32 (aq) 1 5OH 2 (aq) 1 2H2O (l) 3NH3 (g) 1 8AlO22 (aq)
Carbonate ions (CO322)


To a small amount of the unknown solid or solution, add a little
dilute hydrochloric acid.

If the mixture bubbles and gives off a gas that turns limewater milky,
the unknown substance contained carbonate ions. The gas is carbon
dioxide. The ionic equation for the reaction is:
2H 1 (aq) 1 CO322 (aq) CO2 (g) 1 H2O (l)
u The carbonate test: that is limewater

on the right, and it is turning milky.
Q
1 The other name for a positive ion is … ? 4 Silver nitrate is used in the test for halides. Why?
2 Which two cations on page 286 cannot be identified using 5 Nitrates are not tested by forming a precipitate. Why not?
only sodium hydroxide? Which further test could be done? 6 Where do the OH– ions come from, in the test for nitrate ions?
3 Sodium hydroxide and ammonia solutions cannot be used to 7 a Why is acid used, in testing for carbonates?
identify Na+ or K+ ions. Why not? b Limewater is also used in the test. What is limewater?
287

Test (In details)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Test (In details)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Test (In details)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

in the lab

Tests for gases

Gas Description and test details

Carbon dioxide, CO2

19.4 Testing for ions in the lab

It dissolves again in ammonia solution because

Add dilute ammonia solution. No precipitate, or very slight

Tests for anions

Precipitate Indicates presence of … Ionic equation for the reaction

white chloride ions, Cl 2 Ag 1 (aq) 1 Cl 2 (aq) AgCl (s)

cream bromide ions, Br 2 Ag 1 (aq) 1 Br 2 (aq) AgBr (s)

Sulfate ions (SO422)

Nitrate ions (NO32)

Carbonate ions (CO322)

u The carbonate test: that is limewater

You might also like