Teaching Pack: The identification of unknown compounds X and Y

Worksheet D: Results
You have been provided with two compounds, labelled X and Y.

Carry out the following tests on the compounds, entering your results and conclusions in the table.

Tests of sample X
tests observations
(a) Describe the appearance of the X
and Y mixture The mixture is colourless with one white solid in it.

(b) How would you separate X and Y

so that you can test both of them Filter the mixture using filter paper, a funnel and
individually? a beaker

Draw your equipment set-up and

check your method and
equipment required with your
teacher before proceeding.

Tests on the solution of X

(c) To the first portion, acidify with
dilute nitric acid (2 drops) and add
5 drops of barium nitrate. No Precipitate

(d) To the second portion, acidify with

dilute nitric acid (2 drops) and add
5 drops of silver nitrate solution.
white precipitate formed

(e) To the third portion, add aqueous

ammonia solution (10 drops)
no precipate

(f) To the final portion, add aqueous

sodium hydroxide solution
(10 drops). no precipitate

Gently warm the contents of the

test-tube, testing any gases Pungent gas smell, turning damp litmus paper blue
produced.

Write down the name and formula of the cation and anion that you have identified above:
NH4 + Cl -
o
Ammonium Chloride
Name of compound X

NH4Cl
Chemical formula of compound X

26 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) Copyright © UCLES 2017

 Teaching Pack: The identification of unknown compounds X and Y

Worksheet D: Results
Tests on sample Y
tests observations
Tests on the insoluble solid Y
white precipate formed
(a) To the contents of a test-tube
containing compound Y, add a
large excess of aqueous sodium
hydroxide solution.

(b) Perform a flame test on a small

amount of Y.

To do this, dip a clean flame test brick-red flame seen

wire into the concentrated
hydrochloric acid solution and
then into solid Y. Hold the wire
into the blue Bunsen flame.

Observe and record any flame

colour produced.

(c) Add dilute hydrochloric acid (1 cm3)

and warm the contents of the test-
paper soaked in acidified potassium manganate (VII)
tube gently. Do this test in a fume
cupboard. solution changes from purple to colourless

Test any gases produced.

Keep the contents of this tube

for the next test.

Write down the name and formula of the cation and anion that you have identified above:

Ca 2+ SO3 2-
o

Calcium Sulfite
Name of compound Y

CaSO3
Chemical formula of compound Y

Copyright © UCLES 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) 27

Teaching Pack: The identification of unknown compounds X and Y

Worksheet E: Flame test observations

Look at the observation statements next to the flame colours.

Can you improve them in order to make them better observation statements?

Observation Statement Improved statement

An orange flame can be seen,

This is sodium. indicating the presence of sodium

A purple flame can be seen,

Purple flame
indicating the presence of potassium
means K.

A brick-red flame
colour was
observed. This A brick-red flame can be seen,
means that the indicating the presence of lithium
lithium ion is
present.

A green flame can be seen,

Cu. indicating the presence of Copper

An red flame can be seen,

Red/lithium. indicating the presence of lithium

28 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) Copyright © UCLES 2017

 Teaching Pack: The identification of unknown compounds X and Y

Worksheet F: Language focus

Each question below concerns observations in qualitative analysis.

Ensure that you answer each pair of questions using the same tense as in the question given.

Past tense
1. What happened when a strip of filter paper, acidified with potassium manganate(VII) solution,
was placed close to the top of a test-tube producing sulfur dioxide gas?

paper soaked in acidified potassium manganate (VII) solution changes from purple to colourless

2. What happened when an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, was added to a solution
containing chromium(III) ions?

Green Precipate is formed

Present tense
1. What happens when a few drops of aqueous silver nitrate are added to an acidified solution of
sodium bromide?

Cream colored precipirate is formed

2. What do you observe when a sample containing sodium ions is burning in a blue Bunsen
flame?

A yellow flame can be observed

Copyright © UCLES 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) 29

Teaching Pack: The identification of unknown compounds X and Y

Worksheet F: Language focus

Future tense
1. What will happen when an excess of aqueous ammonia is added to a precipitate of copper(II)
ions?
royal blue solution formed

2. A test-tube contains a small piece of aluminium and a solution containing nitrate ions and
aqueous sodium hydroxide. What will happen when it is gently heated?

Bubbles will form

Comparing
Look at the images below for the reactions of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions with aqueous sodium
hydroxide.

Fe(II) Fe(III)

addition of addition of
aqueous NaOH aqueous NaOH

Compare what is happening when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to these test-tubes.

Precipitates are formed in both test-tubes. In test-tube 1, the precipitate is green.

Meanwhile, the precipitate in test-tube 2 is red-brown.

30 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) Copyright © UCLES 2017

 Teaching Pack: The identification of unknown compounds X and Y

Worksheet G: Correct the mistakes

Correct the sentences below in the spaces provided.

The number of mistakes is shown in brackets.

1. When a percipitate is formed in qualitative analysis, it indicates that the substance is

soluble in water. (two mistakes to correct)

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

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

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. A wooden splint is ignited using a Bunsen burner. It is brought next to the mouth of a test-
one mistake to correct)

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

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

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. A test-tube containing aqueous iron(II) ions produces a red-brown precipitate when a small
volume of aqueous sodium hydroxide is added. The precipitate dissolves in excess
aqueous sodium hydroxide to give a red-brown solution. (two mistakes to correct)

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

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

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. A yellow solution is produce when aqueous silver nitrate is added to an acidified solution of
bromide ions. (three mistakes to correct)

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

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

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Ammonium gas changes red litmus paper blue. (two mistakes to correct)

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

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

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

Copyright © UCLES 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) 31