Testing for ions

Testing for ions

Ammonium ions can be tested for by adding a few drops of dilute sodium hydroxide solution and heating.
1. If ammonium ions are present, ammonia gas will be a product of the reaction and will turn red litmus paper blue.
Carbonate ions can be tested for by adding some dilute hydrochloric acid.
1. If carbonate ions are present, carbon dioxide gas will be a product of the reaction and will turn limewater cloudy.
Sulphate ions can be tested by firstly adding some dilute hydrochloric acid followed by some barium chloride solution.
1. If sulphate ions are present, barium sulphate will be a product of the reaction and a white precipitate will form.
Halide ions
1. Halide ions can be tested for by adding some dilute nitric acid followed by some silver nitrate solution
  1. Different halides form different coloured precipitates as different products are formed.
    1. Chlorine ions
      1. Silver chloride
        White precipitate
    2. Bromide ions
      1. Silver bromide
        Cream precipitate
    3. Iodide ions
      1. Silver iodide
        Yellow precipitate
Nitrate ions
1. Nitrate ions can be tested for by adding some sodium hydroxide solution followed by some aluminium powder or foil and then heating strongly.
  1. If nitrate ions are present, ammonia gas will be a product of the reaction and will turn red litmus paper blue because it is a strong alkali.

Resource summary

	Created by Joshua Rees over 8 years ago