Confirmatory Tests for Anions and Cations

a) Chemical tests should be conducted for the confirmation of anions and cations in aqueous form.

b) Cation confirmation – It is done by adding a small amount of sodium hydroxide solution / ammonia solution followed by excess sodium
hydroxide / aqueous ammonia solution .

i). Reaction with NaOH solution : (refer to the Cation Confirmatory Tests on page 12)

Pungent smell

heat
K+, Na+ ,Ca2+, No
Mg2+, Al3+, precipitate
Zn2+, Pb2+, No change
Fe2+, Fe3+, A small
Cu2+, NH4+ amount of precipitate
NaOH coloured

soluble

whiter
Excess
NaOH

insoluble

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 ii). Reaction with ammonia solution:

soluble
K+, Na+ ,Ca2+, soluble
Mg2+, Al3+, Zn2+,
A small Insoluble
Pb2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Excess NH3
Cu2+ , NH4+ amount of precipitate coloured solution
NH3
solution

white
soluble

excess NH3 insoluble

solution

Conclusion of the confirmatory test for colourless / white cations Conclusion of the confirmatory test for coloured cations

a). Zn2+ : _____________________________________________________ a) Cu2+:____________________________________________

b). Mg2+ : ____________________________________________________ b)Fe2+:____________________________________________

c). Al3+ and Pb2+ : ______________________________________________ c)Fe3+:____________________________________________

d). Ca2+: ______________________________________________________

e) NH4+ :______________________________________________________

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 CONFIRMATORY TESTS FOR CATIONS

Cations Test with a small amount of Test with a small amount of

sodium hydroxide solution ammonia solution until in
until in excess excess
+
K - -

Na+ - -

Ca2+ white precipitate, insoluble in -

excess
Mg2+ white precipitate, insoluble in white precipitate, insoluble in
excess excess

Al3+ white precipitate, soluble in white precipitate, insoluble in

excess excess

Zn2+ white precipitate, soluble in white precipitate, soluble in

excess excess

Fe2+ green precipitate, insoluble in green precipitate, insoluble in

excess excess

brown precipitate, insoluble brown precipitate, insoluble

Fe3+
in excess in excess

Pb2+ white precipitate, soluble in white precipitate, insoluble

excess in excess

Cu2+ blue precipitate, insoluble in blue precipitate, soluble in

excess excess

NH4+ - -
3+ 2+
iv). To differentiate between Al and Pb ( write the ionic equations for the formation of
precipitates).
Yellow Pb2+
precipitate
+KI
Al3+ and Pb2+

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 +H2SO4/ No changes
Na2SO4 +HCl/ NaCl Al3+

No changes
White precipitate
3+ White No changes
Al
precipitate Pb2+

Al3+
Pb2+
Write the ionic equation for the formation of
precipitate in the space provided.
1. Confirmatory tests for Anions

Anion Tests Conclusion / Ionic equations

CO32- 2 cm3 of dilute HCl / H2SO4 is added to 2 cm3 of

aqueous solution of carbonate ions. Effervescence
occurs and the gas released turns lime water chalky.

Dilute nitric acid solution is added to 2 cm3 of an

Cl- aqueous solution of chloride ions
followed by 2 cm3 of silver nitrate
solution. A white precipitate is
formed.
Dilute hydrochloric / nitric acid is added to 2 cm3 of
SO42- an aqueous solution of sulphate ions followed by
2 cm3 barium chloride / barium nitrate solution. A
white precipitate is formed.
NO3- 2 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid is added to 2 cm3 of
Iron (II) sulphate. The mixture is shaken. The test
tube is slanted and held with a test tube holder. A few
drops of concentrated H2SO4 acid is dropped along the
wall of the test tube and is held upright. A brown ring
is formed.
Explain why the acid solution was added initially for the chloride and sulphate ion tests.
EXERCISE
1. a) Substance A is white in colour . When A is strongly heated,a brown gas, B, and gas C are
released. These gases rekindled a glowing splint. Residue D which is yellow in colour when hot
and white when cold is formed.
i.Name substances A,B C and D.

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 A:……………… B:…………………….. C:………………………. D:…………………….

ii. Write the chemical equation when substance A is heated.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) The colourless solution E gives the following results when a few series of tests are conducted:

L1 –When sodium hydroxide is added, a white precipitate is formed. This precipitate is soluble in
excess sodium hydroxide.
L2 – When ammonia solution is added, a white precipitate is formed. This precipitate is insoluble in
excess ammonia solution
L3 – When potassium iodide is added, a yellow precipitate,E , is formed.

i. What are the possible cations present in substance E as a result of L1 test

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ii. What are the possible cations present in solution E as a result from L1 and L2 tests
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. What is the ion present in E after L3 test has been done? Write an ionic equation for the formation of
substance F?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2.
Test II
Gas Q with a pungent Add dilute Effervescence
smell is released and Colourless hydrochloric acid occurs and gas
Test I
turns red litmus paper solution P S is released
blue

a) Identify gas Q and state its chemical properties.

…………………………………………………………………………………….

b) State the reagents which are used in Test I and explain how the test is carried out .
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

c) i. Name gas S and write the ionic equation that occurred in Test II
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
ii Explain how you confirmed gas S.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii Write the chemical equation for the reaction that occured in the confirmatory test of gas S
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

d) Name salt P based on the results of tests I and II

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Five solutions labelled A,B, C, D and E contain different cations. The colour of the solutions and their
reactions with ammonia solution and sodium hydroxide solution are given in the following table.

solution Colour With sodium hydroxide solution With ammonia solution

A Blue Blue precipitate insoluble in excess Blue precipitate soluble in excess

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 B Colourless
C Light green
D Colourless
E Colourless
White precipitate soluble in
excess
Dirty green precipitate
White precipitate soluble in excess
White precipitate insoluble in excess
White precipitate soluble in
excess
Dirty green precipitate
White precipitate insoluble in excess
White precipitate insoluble in excess

a). What are the cations present in

i. A:………….. ii.B……………… iii.C………………… iv. E…………
b) State another test to identify C.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
c) What are the possible cations present in solution D?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d) State a test that can differentiate the cations present in solution D

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………

4. Mixture of soluble salt X and

insoluble salt Y

Salt X Salt Y

II III IV
+ KI(aq) heating
+ NaOH(aq) Oxide of
Yellow
precipitate metal R Gas Q
+ White precipitate logam R
soluble in excess
NaOH V + H2SO4

Blue solution

a) In process I , it is found that the salt mixture can be separated. Explain briefly how the salts can be
separated

b)(i)In process II sodium hydroxide solution is added until in excess. According to the observations
given, name all the possible cations present.

ii) In process III, potassium iodide solution is added to the salt solution X and a yellow precipitate is
formed Name the precipitate
iii) Write an ionic equation for the above reaction.

c) (i) The insoluble salt Y is then heated in process IV. Metalic oxide R and gas Q that is carbon dioxide
are produced. Give a chemical test to confirm the presence of the gas.

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 …………………………………………………………………………………..

ii) In process V, dilute sulphuric acid is added to on oxide of metal R and a blue solution is formed.
When dilute hydrochloric acid is added to the blue solution followed by solution T, a white
precipitate is produced. Name solution T.
…………………………………………………………………………………..

5. White crystal A White precipitate B.

IV
Insoluble in excess
NH3 solution
ammonia solution
I Water
NaOH
solution
White precipitate C.
White precipitate B.
Insoluble in excess
Soluble in excess II Colorless v
solution A hydrochloric acid.
sdium hydroxide
solution.
BaCl2 Solution
NaCl solution
III

No changes

The above chart shows the results of the chemical test that was conducted on salt A.
i. Name salt A
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Based on the results of tests I, II ,IIIand IV name the ion present in salt A.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii. Name substance B………… and C………………………….

Write the chemical equations for the reactions in

- Test II:……………………………………………………………………………

- Test V:…………………………………………………………………………….

What can be observed when ammonia gas is passed through solution A until in excess.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

6.The label on the reagent bottle containing sodium chloride and sodium nitrate solution was removed.
Using suitable chemical substances explain briefly how you conduct the chemical tests in the laboratory to
identify both substances.

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7. You are given lead (II) carbonate, zinc (II) carbonate and copper (II) carbonate. Without using any
reagents, explain how you can differentiate the three substances in the laboratory.

8.
Solid M
Reaction I Reaction II

Heat +
dilute nitric acid

Solid Q + carbon dioxide gas Solution S + Carbon dioxide gas + water

Reaction III

+
Magnesium

Zinc metal + Magnesium nitrate

Diagram 1 shows the flow chart of changes that took place beginning from solid M. Solid M is a
zinc salt. When solid M is heated strongly, it decomposed into solid Q which is yellow when hot and
white when cold.

(a)(i) Give a chemical test for carbon dioxide.

………………………………………………………………………………………………
……… (ii) Draw a diagram of the apparatus arrangement to conduct the reaction I

(b) Name solids M and Q.

M : ______________________________ Q : ________________________________

(c) State the observations made when excess ammonia solution is added to solution S.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
(d) (i) Write the chemical equation for reaction II

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) For reaction II, calculate the volume of carbon dioxide gas released at room
condition if 12.5g solid M decomposed completely.

(Relative atomic mass; C=12, O=16, Zn=65; 1 mole of gas occupies 24 dm3 at room
condition )

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 (c) Name reaction III.

9.
• Hydrochloric acid solution, 1.0
moldm-3
• Iron (II) sulphate solution ,1.0 moldm-
3

• Barium chloride solutions, 1.0 moldm-

3

The above shows a list of chemicals supplied to you.

a) i) Choose two solutions used to prepare insoluble salts.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….
ii) What is the type of reaction for the preparation of salt in a(i)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
iii) Write the ionic equation for the production of the salt in (a)( i)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
iv) How can you extract the solid salt produced?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
b) State your observations when sodium hydroxide solution is added in small amount until in excess
into Iron (II) sulphate solution.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c) i) Choose two chemicals substances that can react to produce carbon dioxide gas
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction in c(i)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………
iii) How can you confirm that a gas is released in the reaction in c(i)

10) a) i. State two types of reactions for the preparation of soluble salts
ii. For each type of reaction ,write a chemical equation for the salt prepared .
b) Describe an experiment to prepare zinc chloride salt crystals in the laboratory. In your
decription, write the chemical equations for the reactions involved
c) Describe how you conduct a chemical test in the laboratory to detect the presence of both
ions in the zinc chloride crystals

A. Calculation involving the quantity of reacting substances product

Mass in gram

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 X RAM/RFM/RMM ÷RAM/RFM/RMMM

Solution
concentration in ÷24dm3/22.4 dm3 Gas volume
mol dm-3 (M) 3
x24dm /22.4 dm 3 in dm3
And volume in n = MV Number of
cm3(V) 1000 mol (n)

Remarks : 1 mol of any gas occupies the volume of 24 dm3 at room temperature and 22.4 dm3 at s.t.p
(standard temperature and pressure)

Calculation steps:
S1 Write the balanced equations
S2 Write the information from the above equations.
S3 Write the information from the equation below the chemicals involved.
S4 Change S2 information into mol using the above chart.
S5 Use the connection of the number of mol of the compounds involved
S6 Change the information into the required unit using the above chart

Examples
i). 8.0 g powdered copper (II) oxide is mixed with excess dilute nitric acid and warmed it. Calculate
the mass of copper(II) nitrate produced.
(Relatif atomic mass: N=14, O=16, Cu=64)

ii). 100 cm3 of 0.2 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid is mixed with powdered magnesium until in excess.
Calculate the volume of hydrogen released/evolved at room temperature ( 1 mol of gas occupies
the volume of 24 dm3 at room temperature)

iii) 25 cm3 sulfuric acid is needed to neutralized- 50 cm3 of 1 mol dm-3 potassium hydroxide.
Calculate the mass of magnesium oxide that is not reacted.
[ Relative atomic mass : O, 16 ; Mg ,24]

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