1

Tests for ions and gases

1. Cations (Positive ions)
2.38 describe simple tests for the following cations
i

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

ii. NH4+ using Sodium Hydroxide solution and identifying the Ammonia evolved
iii. Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using Sodium Hydroxide solution

Flame tests

Cation
Li+
Na+

Flame
Red
Orange

Cation
K+
Ca2+

Flame
Lilac
Yellow-red

Using Sodium Hydroxide solution

Cation
NH4+

Cu2+
Fe2+
Fe3+

Test
Test result
Add aqueous Sodium Hydroxide and warm, Red litmus turns blue indicating presence of
test the gas given off with damp red Litmus Ammonia
paper
Light blue precipitate, soluble in excess
Green precipitate, soluble in excess
Add aqueous Sodium Hydroxide
Red-brown precipitate, soluble in excess

For the Cu2+, Fe2+and Fe3+ tests, find the name the precipitate by writing a balanced chemical
equation for each test. Assume each salt is a Sulphate. The starting chemicals for the first
equation have been given.

1. CuSO4 (aq) + NaOH (aq)

2.

Precipitate =

Precipitate =

3.

Precipitate =

2. Anions (Negative ion)

2.39 describe simple tests for the anions:
i

Halide ions - Cl, Br and I, using dilute Nitric Acid and Silver Nitrate solution

ii

Sulphate - SO42, using dilute Hydrochloric Acid and Barium Chloride solution

iii Carbonate -CO32, using dilute Hydrochloric Acid and identifying the Carbon
Dioxide evolved
anion
ClBrISO42CO32-

Test
Acidify with dilute Nitric acid, then add aqueous Silver Nitrate
Acidify with dilute Nitric acid, then add aqueous Silver Nitrate
Acidify with dilute Nitric acid, then add aqueous Silver Nitrate
Acidify with Hydrochloric acid, then add aqueous Barium Chloride
Add dilute acid, test gas produced with Lime-water

test result
White precipitate
Cream precipitate
Yellow precipitate
White precipitate
Bubbles of Carbon Dioxide

For the Cl-, Br -and I- tests, find the name the precipitate by writing a chemical equation for each
test. Assume each salt is a sodium salt. The starting chemical for the first equation has been
given.

1. NaCl (aq) + AgNO3 (aq)

Precipitate =

2.

Precipitate =

3.

Precipitate =

3. Gases

2.40 describe simple tests for the gases Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon
Dioxide, Ammonia, Chlorine.
Gas

Test

Test result

Hydrogen (H2)

Lighted splint

Squeaky pop

Oxygen (O2)

Glowing splint

Relights

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Bubble through Lime-water

Milky white precipitate

Ammonia (NH3)

Damp red Litmus paper

Turns blue

Chlorine (Cl2)

Damp red/blue Litmus paper

Turns red then bleaches

Tests for ions and gases

1. Cations (Positive ions)
2.38 describe simple tests for the following cations
i

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

ii. NH4+ using Sodium Hydroxide solution and identifying the Ammonia evolved
iii. Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ using Sodium Hydroxide solution

Flame tests

Cation
Li+
Na+

Flame
Red
Orange

Cation
K+
Ca2+

Flame
Lilac
Yellow-red

Using Sodium Hydroxide solution

Cation
NH4+
Cu2+
Fe2+
Fe3+

Test
Test result
Add aqueous Sodium Hydroxide and warm, Red litmus turns blue indicating presence of
test the gas given off with damp red Litmus Ammonia
paper
Light blue precipitate, soluble in excess
Green precipitate, soluble in excess
Add aqueous Sodium Hydroxide
Red-brown precipitate, soluble in excess

For the Cu2+, Fe2+and Fe3+ tests, find the name the precipitate by writing a balanced chemical
equation for each test. Assume each salt is a Sulphate. The starting chemicals for the first
equation have been given.

1. CuSO4 (aq) + NaOH (aq)

Precipitate =

2.

Precipitate =

3.

Precipitate =

2. Anions (Negative ion)

2.39 describe simple tests for the anions:
i

Halide ions - Cl, Br and I, using dilute Nitric Acid and Silver Nitrate solution

ii

Sulphate - SO42, using dilute Hydrochloric Acid and Barium Chloride solution

iii Carbonate -CO32, using dilute Hydrochloric Acid and identifying the Carbon
Dioxide evolved
anion
ClBrISO42CO32-

Test
Acidify with dilute Nitric acid, then add aqueous Silver Nitrate
Acidify with dilute Nitric acid, then add aqueous Silver Nitrate
Acidify with dilute Nitric acid, then add aqueous Silver Nitrate
Acidify with Hydrochloric acid, then add aqueous Barium Chloride
Add dilute acid, test gas produced with Lime-water

test result
White precipitate
Cream precipitate
Yellow precipitate
White precipitate
Bubbles of Carbon Dioxide

For the Cl-, Br -and I- tests, find the name the precipitate by writing a chemical equation for each
test. Assume each salt is a sodium salt. The starting chemical for the first equation has been
given.

1. NaCl (aq) + AgNO3 (aq)

Precipitate =

5
2.

Precipitate =

3.

Precipitate =

3. Gases
2.40 describe simple tests for the gases Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon
Dioxide, Ammonia, Chlorine.
Gas
Hydrogen (H2)
Oxygen (O2)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Ammonia (NH3)
Chlorine (Cl2)

Test
Lighted splint
Glowing splint
Bubble through Lime-water
Damp red Litmus paper
Damp red/blue Litmus paper

Test result
Squeaky pop
Relights
Milky white precipitate
Turns blue
Turns red then bleaches