Preliminary tests
Experiment Observation Inference
1. State - solid Crystalline/amorphous
2. Solubility Soluble in water
3. Dry test Ø Tiny water droplets are May be hydrated
Action of heat: observed along the
Take a small walls of the test tube
quantity of the salt Ø White sublimate is
in a dry test tube formed NH4+ ions may be present
and heat over a
flame
4. Flame test 1. Apple green 1. Ba+2 ions
(prepare a paste 2. Crimson red 2. Sr+2 ions
containing a small 3. Brick red 3. Ca+2 ions
amount of the salt and
conc.HCl on a watch 4. White flashes 4. Pb+2 ions
glass)
Identification test of anions
Experiment Observation Inference
1. Action of dil.H2SO4 : i. A colorless, odourless i. Carbonate ion CO3-2
Add a few drops to a gas is evolved with a ii. Acetate ion CH3COO-
small quantity of brisk effervescence.
the salt in a test
tube ii. Colorless vapours with
vinegar smell
2. Conc. H2SO4 : To a A colourless gas (HCl) with Chloride (Cl-) ion may be
small quantity of the a pungent smell is present
salt, add conc. evolved.
H2SO4
i. Cold Brown vapours (NO2) Nitrate (NO3-) ion may be
ii. Hot (add copper with a pungent smell are present
evolved.
turnings in the
test tube before
heating)
3. Action of BaCl2 soln: A white ppt. of BaSO4 is May be sulphate (SO4-2)
Add BaCl2 to salt soln formed ion
Note: Original salt solution: A salt dissolved in a suitable solvent is
called an original salt solution.
Confirmation test for anions
Experiment Observation Inference
CO 3-2 White ppt (BaCO3) is formed CO 3-2 ion was confirmed
To a small quantity of OSS,
add BaCl2 solution
CH3COO - Fruity odour is evolved CH3COO - ion was confirmed
Add H 2SO 4 and BaCl2 to OSS
Cl- Curdy white ppt of AgCl 2 is Cl- ion was confirmed
To the salt soln. Add dilute formed
HNO 3 and AgNO 3
NO 3- A brown ring of FeSO 4.NO is NO 3- ion was confirmed
To OSS, add freshly observed
prepared FeSO 4 and along
the walls of the test tube
conc. H 2SO 4 is added
without disturbing the soln.
SO 4-2 A white ppt. of BaSO 4 is SO 4-2 ion was confirmed
Action of BaCl2 soln: formed
Add BaCl2 to the salt soln
Identification test for zero group cations:
Test for NH4+ ion
NH4+ Dense white fumes of NH 3 is NH4+ maybe present
Heat OSS with NaOH evolved when a glass rod
dipped in conc.HCl is
exposed
Confirmation test for zero group cations:
Test for NH4+ ion:
NH4+ Reddish brown ppt NH4+ ion confirmed
To the same heated soln,
add nessler's reagent
(K 2HgI 4)
Identification test for group cations
1. OSS + dil. HCl White ppt Pb 2+ (lead) ion may be present
2. OSS + dil. HCl + Na2S Black ppt Sulphide (S -) ion may be
present
3. OSS + NH 4Cl + NH4OH Gelatinous white ppt Al3+ (aluminium) ion may be
present
4. OSS + NH 4Cl + NH4OH + White ppt Zn2+ (zinc) ion may be present
Na2S
5. OSS + NH 4Cl + NH4OH + White ppt Ba2+/ Ca2+/ Sr2+ ions may be
(NH 4)2CO 3 present
6. OSS + Na 2HPO 4 White ppt Mg2+ (magnesium) ion may be
present
Confirmation test for group cations
1. OSS + potassium Pale yellow ppt is formed Pb2+ (lead) ion confirmed
chromate (K 2CrO 4)
2. OSS + KI Pale yellow ppt is formed
OSS + NH 4OH or NaOH Gelatinous white ppt is Al3+ (aluminium) ion
formed confirmed
OSS + NH 4OH or NaOH Gelatinous white ppt is Zn2+ (zinc) ion confirmed
formed
OSS + potassium Yellow ppt is formed Ba2+, Ca2+ ions confirmed
chromate (K 2CrO 4)
OSS + CH 3COOH + White ppt is formed Sr 2+ ion confirmed
(NH 4)2SO 4
OSS + NaOH White ppt is formed which Mg2+ (magnesium) ion
is soluble in NH4Cl confirmed
Result: The given salt contains:
Acidic radical (anion): _____________
Basic radical (cation): _____________
Therefore, the given salt is ____________.
