inorganic tests

Question 1

hydrogen gas test

Answer 1

Hold burning splint in test tube of sample

Squeaky pop sound will be heard as hydrogen burns

Question 2

halide ions test

Answer 2

-dilute nitric acid
-silver nitrate solution
-chloride: white
bromide: cream
iodide: yellow

-hard to distinguish between colours so ammonia solution can be added
–chloride dissolves in dilute ammonia
solution
bromide will only dissolve in
concentrated ammonia solution
iodide will not dissolve in dilute or
concentrated ammonia solution (it is
insoluble)

Question 3

oxygen test

Answer 3

glowing splint held in test tube of sample

the splint will relight in the presence of oxygen

Question 4

carbon dioxide test

Answer 4

will turn limewater cloudy

limewater = calcium hydroxide

Question 5

chlorine gas test

Answer 5

will bleach (turn white) damp blue litmus paper

Question 6

Flame test

Answer 6

lithium – crimson red flame

sodium - yellow flame

potassium - lilac flame

calcium – orange-red flame

copper -green flame

Question 7

Metal Cation test

Answer 7

Add sodium hydroxide
Solid metal hydroxide ppt will form

Copper: Blue ppt

Iron(II): Green ppt

Iron(III): Brown ppt

Aluminium: White ppt
Calcium: White ppt
Magnesium: White ppt

(aluminium hydroxide ppt dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide solution to form a colourless solution)

Barium: NVC
Strontium: NVC

Question 8

carbonate ion test

Answer 8

Add dilute acid
CO2 produced will cause fizzing
CO2 will turn limewater cloudy

Question 9

sulfate ion test

Answer 9

react with barium chloride in presence of HCL

white ppt of insoluble barium sulfate will form

Question 10

test for acid (H+ ion)

Answer 10

Turns blue litmus paper red

or

Effervescence when reacting with sodium carbonate

Question 11

test for water

Answer 11

turns white anhydrous copper (II) sulphate into blue hydrated copper (II) sulphate