chemical tests

• carbonate test (CO3 2-)

  add dilute acid (effervescence, carbon dioxide produced)
• chloride test (Cl-)

  acidify with dilute nitric acid, add aqueous silver nitrate (white precipitate)
• nitrate test (NO3 -)

  add aqueous NaOH then aluminum foil, and warm gently (ammonia produced)
• sulfate test (SO4 2-)

  acidify, then add aqueous barium nitrate (white precipitate)
• ammonium test (NH4 +) w/ NaOH

  warm gently (ammonia produced)
• calcium test (Ca 2+) w/ NaOH

  white precipitate, insoluble in excess
• calcium test (Ca 2+) w/ NH3

  no precipitate or very slight white ppt.
• copper (II) test w/ NaOH

  light blue precipitate, insoluble in excess
• copper (II) test w/ NH3

  light blue precipitate, soluble in excess giving a dark blue solution
• iron (II) test w/ NaOH

  green precipitate, insoluble in excess
• iron (II) test w/ NH3

  green precipitate, insoluble in excess
• iron (III) test w/ NaOH

  red-brown precipitate, insoluble in excess
• iron (III) test w/ NH3

  red-brown precipitate, insoluble in excess
• zinc test (Zn 2+) w/ NaOH

  white precipitate, soluble in excess, giving colorless solution
• zinc test (Zn 2+) w/ NH3

  white precipitate, soluble in excess, giving colorless solution
• gas test: ammonia (NH3)


  turns damp red litmus paper blue
• gas test: CO2

  turns limewater milky white
• gas test: chlorine (Cl2)


  bleaches damp litmus paper
• gas test: hydrogen (H2)

  'pops' with a lighted splint
• gas test: oxygen (O2)


  relights a glowing splint
• flame test: lithium

  red flame
• flame test: sodium

  yellow flame
• flame test: potassium

  lilac flame
• flame test: copper (II)

  blue-green flame