Revision notes written by Widowmaker

Module 3B

Unit 3.1B: Laboratory chemistry

Specification
a) Recognise the results of reactions of compounds specifically mentioned in Units
1 and 2 of the specification and the results of tests for simple ions: carbonate,
hydrogencarbonate, sulphate(VI), sulphite, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate,
ammonium, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and
barium

Tests for ions

Ion
Carbonate

Formu
la
CO32-

Test

Observations

Test 1
Heat the solid in a test
tube
with
a
Bunsen
burner.
It
should
decompose
producing the oxide and
carbon
dioxide.
E.g.
CuCO3(s) CuO(s) +
CO2(g)
Test for the gas using
limewater solution.

Limewater should turn from

colourless to cloudy in the
presence of carbon dioxide due
to
precipitation
of
calcium
carbonate.

Test 2
Add dilute HCl to the
solid.
Test for the gas evolved
using limewater solution.

Hydrogencarb
onate

HCO3-

Sulphate (VI)

SO42-

Sulphite

SO32-

Chloride

Cl-

Test
Add calcium chloride to a
hydrogencarbonate
solution.
Test
Add
barium
chloride
solution acidified with
dilute HCl to the test
solution.
Test
Warm the sulphite with
dilute HCl.
Test
for gases using
acidified
potassium
dichromate(VI)
solution
(or paper)
Test 1
Add
concentrated
sulphuric acid to the
solid chloride.
Test 2

Vigorous effervescence.
Limewater should turn from
colourless to cloudy in the
presence of carbon dioxide due
to
precipitation
of
calcium
carbonate.
No
precipitate
forms
since
calcium hydrogencarbonate is
soluble.
White precipitate
sulphate forms.

of

barium

The solution turns green.

White steamy acidic fumes are

seen - HCl fumes.

Revision notes written by Widowmaker

Module 3B

Add dilute nitric acid to a

solution of a chloride to
acidify the solution. This
eliminates
any
carbonates or sulphites.

White precipitate of AgCl forms.

Add silver chloride to the Solid dissolves.

solution.
Add
dilute
ammonia
solution.
Test 1
Add
concentrated Steamy brownish acidic fumes
sulphuric acid to the are seen.
solid bromide.

Bromide

Br-

Test 2
Add dilute nitric acid to a
solution of a bromide to
acidify the solution. This
eliminates
any
carbonates or sulphites.
Add silver chloride to the
solution.
Add
concentrated
ammonia solution.
Test 1
Add
concentrated
sulphuric acid to the
solid iodide.

Iodide

I-

Test 2
Add dilute nitric acid to a
solution of a iodide to
acidify the solution. This
eliminates
any
carbonates or sulphites.
Add silver chloride to the
solution.
Add
concentrated
ammonia solution.
Test 1
Heat solid nitrate.
If group 1 solid (not Li)
then will decompose to
give
the
nitrite
and
oxygen.
All other solid nitrates
decompose to give the
metal
oxide,
nitrogen
dioxide and oxygen.

Nitrate

NO3-

Cream
forms.

precipitate

of

AgBr

Solid dissolves.

Purple acidic fumes are seen.

The mixture turns to a brown
slurry.

Yellow precipitate of AgI forms.

Solid is insoluble.

Oxygen gas is evolved that will

relight a glowing splint.
Brown gas is seen (NO2).
Oxygen gas is also evolved and
will relight a glowing splint.

Revision notes written by Widowmaker

Module 3B

Test 2
Boil nitrate solution with
aluminium/Devardas
alloy,
in
sodium Litmus paper turns blue in the
presence of ammonia.
hydroxide solution.
Test vapour with red
litmus paper.

Ammonium

Lithium

Sodium

Potassium

NH4+

Li+

Na+

K+

Magnesium

Mg2+

Calcium

Ca2+

Strontium

Sr2+

Barium

Ba2+

Test
Warm
ammonium
compound with NaOH.
Test vapours immediately
using damp red litmus
paper.
Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.
Dip wire in solid.
Heat wire in centre of
flame.
Observe colour of flame.
Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.
Dip wire in solid.
Heat wire in centre of
flame.
Observe colour of flame.
Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.
Dip wire in solid.
Heat wire in centre of
flame.
Observe colour of flame.
Test
Add NaOH solution to the
magnesium solid.

NH3 turns the litmus paper blue.

A carmine red flame is seen.

A yellow flame is seen.

A lilac flame is seen.

A white solid forms which is

insoluble in excess NaOH(aq).
This is Mg(OH)2(s)

Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.
Dip wire in solid.
Heat wire in centre of
A brick red flame is seen.
flame.
Observe colour of flame.
Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.
Dip wire in solid.
Heat wire in centre of
A crimson red flame is seen.
flame.
Observe colour of flame.
Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.
Dip wire in solid.

Revision notes written by Widowmaker

Module 3B

Heat wire in centre of

A apple green flame is seen.
flame.
Observe colour of flame.

b) Recognise the chemical tests for simple gases, to include hydrogen, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, ammonia, chlorine, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide

Tests for gases

Name
Hydrogen
Oxygen

Formu
la
H2
O2

Carbon
dioxide

CO2

Ammonia

NH3

Chlorine

Cl2

Test

Observations

Ignite gas.

Squeaky pop is heard.

Place a glowing splint in a

sample of the gas.
Bubble
gas
through
limewater
(saturated
solution
of
calcium
hydroxide)
Test for gas using damp red
litmus paper.
Test 1
Test for gas using damp
litmus paper (red or blue)

The glowing splint relights.

Test 2
Test for gas using
starch-iodide paper.

moist

A solution turns from colourless

to cloudy. A white (milky)
precipitate of calcium carbonate
forms which is sparingly soluble.
Litmus paper turns blue.
Chlorine bleaches
paper very quickly.

the

litmus

The paper turns blue-black.

Test 3
Pass gas through a solution The
solution
turns
of a bromide.
colourless to orange.

from

Test 4
Pass gas through a solution The
solution
turns
from
of an iodide.
colourless to brown (possibly
with a black precipitate, iodine).

Nitrogen
dioxide
Sulphur
dioxide

NO2

Not many tests for this gas.

SO2

Test 1
Bubble
gas
through
a The solution turns from orange
solution
of
potassium to green.
dichromate (VI) dissolved in

The gas is brown.

Revision notes written by Widowmaker

Module 3B
sulphuric acid.
Test 2
Bubble
gas
through
a The solution turns from purple
solution
of
potassium to colourless.
manganate (VII) dissolved
in sulphuric acid.