Introduction to Ion Identification
Introduction to Ion Identification
Dissolving is the process in which solvent molecules such as water surround solute particles such as
ions (like those in salt) or molecules (like those in sugar). They surround them because they are
attracted to them. The attraction occurs because the water molecule is polar. The oxygen in the water
molecule is slightly negatively charged and so it is attracted towards positive ions and molecules which
have a slightly positive region on them. The two hydrogen atoms in the water molecule are slightly
positively charged and so are attracted to negative ions or molecules with slightly negatively charged
parts. The surrounding is called solvating.
When two ionic aqueous solutions are mixed together it is possible that a precipitate will form. This
depends on the solubility of the possible combinations of ions. If a particular combination of a positive
and negative ion is insoluble then a precipitate can form. Of course two positive ions or two negative ions
cannot form a precipitate with each other.
In the reaction above the two solutions are mixed and a precipitate of lead iodide is formed. The state
symbols are very important in these types of equations, they MUST be included.
In this equation only the particles that reacted are shown, the others are left out. The ions left out are
called spectator ions – they remain floating around in solution throughout the reaction and have no effect
on it at all. This type of equation is called an ionic equation.
To work out which possible combination of ions is insoluble you must know your solubility rules. The only
way to learn these is by repetition. Do this often if you want to succeed in this topic.
Key: w = white, bl = blue, g = green, bk = black, y = yellow, gy = grey, v = violet, bn = brown, r = red.
sol = soluble, insol = insoluble, spsol = sparingly soluble, - = does not exist or immediately decomposes
Some compounds do not exist due to the cation being a strong enough oxidant to oxidise the anion.
Sodium Calcium
carbonate chloride
Ammonium Calcium
hydroxide nitrate
Calcium Sodium
nitrate iodide
Sodium Magnesium
iodide nitrate
Magnesium Sodium
nitrate sulfate
Solubility rules and precipitation reactions are often used to detect and identify the presence of certain
cations and anions in solution. The procedures used are a form of qualitative analysis, since they are
concerned with finding out which ions are present.
If no precipitate – add
Identification of Cations no NaOH and warm. Test any
gas produced with damp red
Add a few drops of Check to see if a litmus.
dilute NaOH. precipitate forms
Litmus No Change
yes blue
Na+ or Ba2+ present.
Observe colour NH4+ is
Add dil H2SO4
of precipitate. present
A white ppt of
BaSO4 forms, Ba2+ No ppt forms, Na+
ions are present. ions are present.
Could be Mg2+, Fe(OH)2 ppt Fe(OH)3 ppt Cu(OH)2 ppt Ag2O ppt
Al3+, Zn2+ or indicates Fe2+ indicates Fe3+ indicates Cu2+ indicates Ag+
Pb2+. present. present. Add present. Add present. Add
SCN- Ions NH3 to excess NH3 to excess
Ppt could be Al3+, Zn2+ or Pb2+. If a ppt forms and dissolves Zn2+
Take a fresh sample and slowly ions are present. [Zn(NH3)4]2+
add ammonia solution. forms.
If a ppt forms and does not dissolve in excess A white ppt of PbSO4
either Al3+ or Pb2+ are present. Add dilute H2SO4 forms, Pb2+ ions are present.
to a fresh sample of the unknown.
Questions
1. A colourless solution gives a white precipitate when treated with dilute nitric acid and aqueous silver
nitrate. Aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to a fresh sample of the original solution and a white
precipitate forms which is soluble in excess of the sodium hydroxide.
a. What anion is most likely present?
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b. Write an ionic equation for the formation of the white precipitate.
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c. What cation is most likely present?
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d. Write a balanced ionic equation for the formation of the white precipitate with aqueous sodium
hydroxide.
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e. Write a balanced ionic equation for the white precipitate, formed in d), redissolving in excess
sodium hydroxide solution.
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