In the test to identify chlorine, litmus paper is used. The litmus paper must be damp. Litmus paper turns white. When chlorine gas is present, litmus paper will be bleached and turn white.
describe the test for hydrogen gas.
the squeaky pop test. Holding a burning splint near to the top of the test tube. The positive result is a squeaky pop sound as the hydrogen reacts with oxygen in the air in a small explosion.
Tests for gases
Hydrogen: a lit splint will burn with a squeaky pop.
Oxygen: a glowing splint will re-light.
Carbon dioxide: turns limewater milky.
Ammonia: turns damp red litmus paper blue. It also has a pungent odour.
Chlorine: turns damp blue litmus paper red before bleaching it white.
describe the test for carbon dioxide
You can test for Carbon Dioxide by bubbling the gas through limewater. If Carbon Dioxide is present the limewater will turn from colourless to a cloudy milky colour.
describe the test for oxygen gas
take a glowing splint and place it in a sample of gas, if the flame re-ignites the gas is oxygen.
describe the test for ammonia.
Dip a glass rod in concentrated hydrochloric acid and put this in a sample of the gas and If ammonia is present, a white 'smoke' of ammonium chloride is observed.
what is the alkene test?
The test for alkenes is adding bromine water. If an alkene is present, the bromine water changes from orange to colourless.
Flame Test Method
1. Clean a nichrome/platinum wire loop with dilute HCl, then heat in a blue flame.
2. Dip the loop in the metal compound.
3. Place in the roaring Bunsen burner flame.
4. Observe and record the flame color.
Lithium (Li⁺) Flame Color
Crimson Red
Sodium (Na⁺) Flame Color
Yellow
Potassium (K⁺) Flame Color
Lilac purple
Calcium (Ca²⁺) Flame Color
Orange-Red
Copper (Cu²⁺) Flame Color
Green
Aluminium (Al³⁺) with NaOH
White precipitate (dissolves in excess NaOH)
Sodium Hydroxide Test Method
1. Add sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) to the metal ion solution.
2. Observe the precipitate color.
3. If white, add excess NaOH to check if it dissolves.
Calcium (Ca²⁺) with NaOH
White precipitate (does NOT dissolve in excess NaOH)
Magnesium (Mg²⁺) with NaOH
White precipitate (does NOT dissolve in excessNaOH)
copper(II) (Cu²⁺) with NaOH
Blue precipitate
Iron(II) (Fe²⁺) with NaOH
Green precipitate
Iron(III) (Fe³⁺) with NaOH
Brown precipitate
How do you test for carbonate (CO₃²⁻) ions?
• Add dilute acid
• If carbonate is present → Fizzing (CO₂ gas produced)
• Bubble gas through limewater → Turns cloudy
How do you test for sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ions?
• Add barium chloride and dilute hydrochloric acid
• If sulfate is present → White precipitate forms
How do you test for sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ions?
• Add barium chloride and dilute hydrochloric acid
• If sulfate is present → White precipitate forms
How do you test for iodide (I⁻) ions?
• Add dilute nitric acid
• Add silver nitrate solution
• Yellow precipitate forms
How do you test for chloride (Cl⁻) ions?
• Add dilute nitric acid
• Add silver nitrate solution
• White precipitate forms
How do you test for bromide (Br⁻) ions?
• Add dilute nitric acid
• Add silver nitrate solution
• Cream precipitate forms
What tests are used to identify positive cations and negative anions?