qualitative analysis

• Flame test: red flame

  Lithium ion, L+
• Flame test: yellow flame

  Sodium Ion, Na +
• Flame test: Lilac flame

  Potassium Ion, K+
• Flame test: Orange-red flame

  Calcium Ion, Ca2+
• Flame test: Blue-green flame

  Copper ion, Cu2+
• precipitate tests: Aluminium ,AL3+

  Precipitate formed after adding a few drops of NaOH: WHite

  Precipitate after adding around 10cm^3 of NaOH: the white precipitate dissolves, leaving a colourless solution
• precipitate tests: Calcium , Ca2+

  Precipitate formed after addign a few drops of NaOH: white

  precipitate after adding more drops of NaOH: the WHite precipitate still remains
• precipitate tests: Iron(II), Fe2+

  A green precipitate
• precipitate tests: Iron(III), Fe3+

  A brown precipitate
• precipitate tests: Copper(II), Cu2+

  A blue precipitate
• precipitate tests: Ammonium ion, NH4+

  • Add a few drops of NaOH and then Gently warm the mixture
  • Ammonia Gas is produced, which can be you can test with damp red litmus paper that will turn blue
• Test for Hydrogen (H2)

  • SQUEAKY POP TEST
  • collect a gas in a test tube
  • hold a lit split at an open end of the tube
  • If hydrogen gas is present, it will burn making a "squeaky pop"
• Test for Carbon Dioxide (Co2)

  • LIME WATER TESTS
  • Solution Lime water turns cloudy
• Test for Oxygen (02)

  • GLOWING SPLINT TEST
  • relights a glowing splint
• Test for Chlorine (Cl2)

  • Bleaches blue litmus paper red and then white
• Test for ammonia gas

  • turns damp red litmus paper, blue
• Test for whether water is present

  • add anhydrous copper sulphate (a white powder) to the solution, if water present, it will turn blue
• The physical test to show if a sample of water is pure

  • THE BOILING POINT TEST
  • pure water boils at 100 degrees Celcius, if it doesn't there are some impurities
• Test for Carbonate ions

  1. Add a few drops of nitric acid
  2. If bubbles/effervescence form, it indicates a presence of a gas
  3. to test if it's carbon dioxide, do the limewater test
• Test for sulfate ions

  1. Add a few drops of nitric acid - to get rid of any impurities
  2. Add some solution of Barium chloride or Barium nitrate
  3. If a white precipitate forms, it indicates the presence of sulfate ions
• test for Halide ions

  1. add dilute nitric acid to remove impurities
  2. Add silver nitrate solution
  3. A precipitate indicates the presence od a solver halide compund
• What colour precipitate is made if Chloride ions are present

  White precipitate
• What colour precipitate is made if Bromide ions are present

  Cream precipitate
• What colour precipitate is made if Iodide ions are present

  A yellow precipitate
• Order of qualitative tests


  1. Carbonate test - as neither sulfate or halide ions produce gases
  2. Sulfate test - produces a precipitate on carbonate ions, so it has to be done after
  3. Hailde test - produces precipitate for both carbonate and sulfate ions so it has to de done after