TESTS FOR IONS – QUICK REFERENCE SHEET

Test Observations Inferences Ionic Equation

To solution of compound add aqueous White ppt. insoluble in nitric acid. Ppt. = silver chloride
Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq)  AgCl(s)
silver nitrate followed by dilute nitric Ppt. is soluble in dilute aqueous ammonia. Cl- ions present
acid. Cream ppt. insoluble in nitric acid. Ppt. = silver bromide
Ag+(aq) + Br-(aq)  AgBr(s)
Ppt. is soluble only in conc. aqueous ammonia. Br- ions present
Confirmatory Test: Test solubility of Pale yellow ppt. insoluble in nitric acid. Ppt. = silver iodide
Ag+(aq) + I-(aq)  AgI(s)
precipitate in aqueous ammonia. Ppt. is insoluble in conc. aqueous ammonia. I- ions present
To solution of compound add aqueous
Ppt. = barium sulphate
barium chloride followed by dilute White ppt. insoluble in hydrochloric acid. Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)  BaSO4(s)
SO42- (or HSO4-) ions present
hydrochloric acid.
Effervescence giving colourless gas. Gas turns Gas = CO2 CO32-(s/aq) + 2H+(aq)  CO2(g) + H2O(l)
lime water milky CO32- or HCO3- ions present* HCO3-(s/aq) + H+(aq)  CO2(g) + H2O(l)
To compound add dilute acid (e.g. HCl, Pungent colourless gas on warming. Gas
HNO3 or H2SO4). decolorises acidified potassium manganate(VII) Gas = SO2
SO32-(s/aq) + 2H+(aq)  SO2(g) ) + H2O(l)
solution (or turns acidified potassium SO32- ions present
dichromate(VI) solution from orange to green).
To compound add aqueous sodium Gas evolved that turns damp red litmus paper Alkaline gas = ammonia
NH4+(s/aq) + OH-(aq)  NH3(g) + H2O(l)
hydroxide and warm mixture. blue. Smells strongly of ammonia. NH4+ ions present
Ppt. = insoluble metal e.g. Mg2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)  Mg(OH)2(s)
To solution of compound add aqueous On going down group 2 solubilty of
White ppt. insoluble in excess reagent. hydroxide. Group 2 metal ions
sodium hydroxide. hydroxides increases, so amount of ppt.
likely to be present.
decreases.
Warm solid with aqueous sodium Gas = ammonia
Gas evolved that turns damp red litmus paper
hydroxide and aluminium or zinc NO3- ions present which are
blue
powder. reduced to NH3
Deep (cherry) red / carmine red Li+ ions present
Golden yellow Na+ ions present
Lilac K+ ions present
Carry out flame test.
Brick red / orange-red Ca2+ ions present
Crimson red Sr2+ ions present
Apple green / light green Ba2+ ions present

*Distinguishing between carbonates and hydrogencarbonates

Solid hydrogencarbonates are only found for group 1 metals (commonly Na+ and K+). They are weakly alkaline in solution (pH 7-8)
Also, these solid hydrogencarbonates decompose on heating giving steam/condensation. E.g. 2KHCO3(s)  K2CO3(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Group 1 metal carbonates are soluble and are strongly alkaline (pH>10). Other metal carbonates are insoluble.

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