Chemical analysis

• Precipitates formed when metal ions are reacted with sodium hydroxide:

  aluminium, white

  calcium, white

  magnesium, white

  copper (ii), blue

  iron (ii), green

  iron (iii), brown
• To test for sulfates: dilute hydrochloric acid, barium chloride

  (Barry sold his soul for some water)
• If sulfates are present a white precipitate of barium sulphate is produced.
• To test for halide ions: silver nitrate solution and dilute nitric acid.

  (a halo is never silver)
• if chlorine is present, when reacting with silver nitrate solution and dilute nitric acid, a white precipitate is formed
• if iodine is present, when reacted with silver nitrate solution and dilute nitric acid, a yellow precipitate is formed
• if bromine is present, when reacted with silver nitrate solution and dilute nitric acid, a cream precipitate is formed
• The following colours indicate the presence of certain ions in flame tests:

  -copper, green

  -calcium, brick red

  -lithium, crimson

  -potassium, lilac

  -sodium, yellow