Testing For Carbonates

Question 1

Test for carbonate ions:

Answer 1

Carbonates react with dilute acids to form CO2

Question 2

Test for sulphate ions:

Answer 2

Add dilute HCI, followed by barium chloride solution.

A white precipitate of barium sulphate means the original compound was a sulphate.

Question 3

Test for Chloride ions:

Answer 3

Add dilute nitric acid followed by silver nitrate solution

Chloride gives a white precipitate of silver chloride

Question 4

Testing to see if a gas is CO2:

Answer 4

Bubbling it through limewater

If it is CO2, the limewater turns milky