Chemistry Tests for Substances

• Describe briefly the test for carbonate ions

  add dilute hydrochloric acid to the test sample. Gas produced needs to be run through limewater. If limewater turns cloudy, then its a carbonate.
• Describe briefly the test for sulfate ions

  First add dilute hydrochloric acid to the sample to remove carbonate and sulfite impurities. Then add barium chloride to the sample. If white precipitate is seen, then its a positive result.
• Describe briefly the test for halides.

  Add dilute nitric acid to remove the carbonate and sulfite impurities. Then add silver nitrate, so that the silver ions react with the halide ions to produce a precipitate. If it reacts with chlorine, it'll form a white precipitate. If it reacts with bromine, then it'll form a cream precipitate and yellow precipitate for iodine.
• Describe briefly the test for hydrogen

  When a lighted/lit splint is brought close to hydrogen gas, it produces a squeaky pop sound.
• Describe briefly the test for oxygen

  when glowing splint is brought close to oxygen, it relights the splint
• Describe briefly the test for chlorine

  Damp blue litmus paper is submerged into a test-tube of chlorine. It first turns red and then bleaches white.
• Describe briefly the test for carbon dioxide.

  run a sample through limewater. if limewater turns a cloudy and milky, then carbon dioxide is present.
• Describe the procedure to conduct a flame test

  Take a platinum wire loop and clean it by dipping it in some hydrochloric acid and rinsing it in distilled water. Then heat it over a bunsen burner. Dip the wire in the test sample and hold it in the blue part of the flame. Observe the colour that it gives off
• What colour do lithium ions burn with?

  Crimson (red)
• What colour do sodium ions burn with?

  Yellow flames
• What colour do potassium ions burn with?

  Lilac Flame
• What colour do calcium ions burn with?

  Orange-Red Flames
• What colour do copper ions burn with?

  Green Flame
• What colour is the precipitate in a reaction of copper ions with sodium hydroxide?

  Blue precipitate and blue solution
• What colour is the precipitate in a reaction of calcium ions with sodium hydroxide?

  White precipitate
• What colour is the precipitate in a reaction of iron (II) ions with sodium hydroxide?

  Green precipitate
• What colour is the precipitate in a reaction of iron (III) ions with sodium hydroxide?

  Brown precipitate
• What colour is the precipitate in a reaction of magnesium ions with sodium hydroxide?

  White precipitate
• What colour is the precipitate in a reaction of aluminium ions with sodium hydroxide?

  white at first, colourless later on
• What colour is formed with calcium ions react with aqueous ammonia?

  No precipitate is formed
• What colour is formed when copper (II) ions react with aqueous ammonia?

  Blue precipitate
• What colour is formed when iron (II) ions react with aqueous ammonia?

  Green precipitate
• What colour is formed when iron (III) ions react with aqueous ammonia?

  Reddish-brown precipitate
• Describe briefly the test for sulfur dioxide

  Sulfur dioxide is passed through acidified potassium permanganate solution. The colour of the solution changes from a bright purple-pink to colourless. It also releases a foul smell