SOS Chemistry Tables

Flame Tests for Metal Cations

Cation Magnesium ion Barium ion Copper ion Calcium ion Sodium ion Potassium ion Flame Colour Blinding White Apple Green Green Blue Brick Red Yellow Orange Lilac

Sodium Hydroxide Test for Metal Cations

Metal Ion Aluminium Al3+ Calcium Ca2+ Magnesium Mg2+ Copper Cu2+ Iron Fe2+ Iron Fe3+ Precipitate White * White * White * Blue Green Brown (rust)

*If you get a white precipitate, add more sodium hydroxide solution and the aluminium precipitate will dissolve. If the white precipitate does not dissolve then the metal ion is calcium or magnesium. These can be distinguished using a flame test (magnesium ions have no flame colour).

Silver Nitrate Test for Halide Anions

*You first add a few drops of dilute Nitric acid (HNO3) to clear impurities and then a few drops of Silver Nitrate solution (AgNO3) to create a precipitate to identify the ion. Halide Anion Bromide Chlorine Iodide Colour of Precipitate Cream White Yellow

Test for aqueous Sulfate ions (SO4 - [aq])

To identify Sulfate ions we first add drops of hydrochloric acid to the sample and then add a few drops of Barium Chloride. If Sulfate ions are present in the solution then a white precipitate of insoluble Barium Sulfate will form. Ba2+ (aq) + SO42- (aq) BaSO4 (s)

Test for Carbonate ions (CO32- )

When hydrochloric acid or nitric acid is added to any carbonate containing compound, either solid or in solution, Carbon Dioxide is given off, which if bubbled through limewater it turns limewater milky. CO32- (aq) + 2H+ (aq) CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

Test for Ammonium ions (NH4+)

To test for ammonium ions, you first add to the sample few drops of the reagent sodium hydroxide solution, then you warm the sample, and if Ammonium ions are present, a distinctive pungent smell is given off while damp red litmus paper turns blue. NH4+ (aq) + OH NH3 + H2O

Hydroxide ions (from the sodium hydroxide added)

Test for gases

Hydrogen: You hold a lighted splint in the mouth of the test tube and if hydrogen gas is present it will explode with a squeaky pop. Oxygen: You hold a glowing splint in the mouth of the test tube and if oxygen gas is present the splint will relight. Carbon Dioxide: When bubbled through limewater, limewater turns milky. Chlorine: It is very toxic. It turns damp blue litmus paper red and later white as it is bleached.

Test for starch

Add Iodine reagent to a solution or directly on a potato or other materials such as bread, crackers, or flour. A blue-black color results if starch is present.

Halogens
Halogen State at room temperature (C) Gas Gas Liquid Solid Characteristics M.P. Reactivity Fluorine Chlorine Bromine Iodine Pale Yellow Yellow-Green Liquid: Red-Brown Solid: Grey; Gas: (Sublimation) Violet Radioactive Increases as you move down the Group Decreases as you move down the Group

Astatine

Solubility
Soluble All nitrates Most sulfates Most chlorides, bromides and iodides Insoluble None Lead sulfate, barium sulfate and calcium sulfate Silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, lead chloride, lead bromide, lead iodide

Sodium-, Potassium-, Ammonium- Carbonates Sodium-, Potassium-, Ammonium- Hydroxide

Most other carbonates Most other hydroxides