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Testing For Negative Ions

This document provides instructions for using qualitative chemical tests to identify common negative ions in a solution, including carbonate, sulfate, nitrate, and halide ions. Specific tests are described to detect the presence of each ion type, such as the addition of acid and limewater to test for carbonate ions, barium chloride to test for sulfate ions, silver nitrate to test for halide ions, and aluminum powder and sodium hydroxide to test for nitrate ions. Students are then asked to apply these tests to identify the ions in a mystery solution labeled X.

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164 views12 pages

Testing For Negative Ions

This document provides instructions for using qualitative chemical tests to identify common negative ions in a solution, including carbonate, sulfate, nitrate, and halide ions. Specific tests are described to detect the presence of each ion type, such as the addition of acid and limewater to test for carbonate ions, barium chloride to test for sulfate ions, silver nitrate to test for halide ions, and aluminum powder and sodium hydroxide to test for nitrate ions. Students are then asked to apply these tests to identify the ions in a mystery solution labeled X.

Uploaded by

rgblackman
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Testing for negative ions

Aims: To use qualitative chemical tests to identify


some of the ions present in a solution

Qualitative chemical tests


These tests are simple test tube reactions that can help us to identify unknown substances They tell us nothing about the quantities of substances just YES or NO! Examples you have seen before are: Indicators for acids/ bases Bromine water decolourised by alkenes Lime water for carbon dioxide Squeaky pop for hydrogen Glowing splint relights for oxygen

You are going to learn how to test for negative ions ions
These are: Carbonate ions, CO32Sulfate ions, SO42Nitrate ions, NO3-

Halide ions, Cl-, Br-, I- (these are ions of G7 elements)

Solid carbonate compounds


Metal carbonate compounds break down on heating (thermal decomposition) This produces the metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas The gas can be tested with limewater to confirm its identity as carbon dioxide the lime water will turn cloudy. Two of these also have characteristic colour changes!! Copper carbonate changes from green to black Zinc carbonate changes from white to yellow (but changes back when it cools!)

And in solutions
Carbonate compounds react with acid to form a salt, carbon dioxide and water. CaCO3 + 2HCl CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O So if we add acid to a solution containing carbonate ions it will fizz. The gas can be tested with limewater to confirm its identity as carbon dioxide the lime water will turn cloudy.

Testing for Sulfate ions


First we add some hydrochloric acid to react with and remove any carbonate ions. Then add a few drops of Barium chloride solution. A white precipitate indicates that sulfate ions are present. The precipitate is insoluble Barium sulfate Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) BaSO4(s)

Testing for Halide ions


First add some Nitric acid solution to react with and remove any carbonate ions Then add a few drops of Silver Nitrate solution A precipitate indicates the presence of halide ions The colour of the precipitate formed shows which halide ion was present

A White precipitate Chloride ions A Cream precipitate Bromide ions A Yellow precipitate Iodide ions

Testing for Halide ions

The precipitates are the silver halides: AgCl AgBr AgI In practice the last 2 can be very hard to tell apart!

Testing for Nitrate ions


First add a small amount of aluminium powder. Then add a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution and warm GENTLY. If nitrate ions are present they will be reduced to ammonia. Test for this using damp red litmus paper it will turn blue. It also smells, A LOT!

Try it yourselves!
You are provided with a mystery solution labelled, X. Your assignment is to identify the ions in solution X using a range of chemical tests. You should record the tests that you carry out and what the results are. Use your observations to identify the ions in X This is chemical detective work or FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

The identity of X
You should now be able to identify the ions in X Be prepared to explain how you reached your decision Would your evidence stand up in court?

The identity of X
You should now be able to identify the ions in X Be prepared to explain how you reached your decision Would your evidence stand up in court?

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