Chapter 8 : SALTS

A
1.

Synthesizing Salts
Meaning of salts

Salt is an ionic compound formed when the.ion,

from an acid is replace by a metal ion or an ammonium ion.

Example 1 :
HCl

Na+
+ Cl-

NaCl

NH4+
HNO3

NH4NO3
-

NO3

Example 2 :

K2SO4

Na2SO4
Na+

K+

SO42-

SO42-

NH4+ SO42Sulphuric acid

2-

SO4

Zn2+ SO42-

Cu2+ SO42-

CuSO4

(NH4)2SO4

Al3+ SO42-

Al2(SO4)3

ZnSO4

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Chapter 8

Activity 1:1

Complete the diagram below :

K+
Na+

NH4+
Hydrochloric acid

H+ ..

Zn2+

Cu2+
Al3+

DIAGRAM 1.1

K+
Na+

NH4+
Nitric acid

H+

..

Zn2+

Cu2+
Al3+

DIAGRAM 1.2

Chapter 8

Salts

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Chapter 8

Write down the chemical formula of salts :

Metal ion

Sulphate salt
(H2SO4)

Chloride salt
(HCl)

Nitrate salt
(HNO3)

Carbonate salt
(H2CO3)

Na+
K+
Mg2+
Ca2+
Al3+
Zn2+
Fe2+
Pb2+
Cu2+
Ag+
Ba2+
NH4+

2.

Uses Of Salts In Our Daily Lives

USES OF SALTS

Agriculture

Medicinal Field

Food Industries

Chemical Industries

Type of salt

Chapter 8

Salts

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3.

Chapter 8

Soluble and Insoluble Salt

Types of salts :
Soluble salt salts that can be dissolve in water at room temperature.

Insoluble salt salts cannot be dissolve in water at room temperature.

Solubility of salt in water

All sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and ammonium (NH4+) salts are soluble.
All nitrate salts are soluble.
All sulphate salts are soluble except PbSO4 , CaSO4 and BaSO4
All chloride salts are soluble except PbCl2 and AgCl, HgCl
All carbonate salts are insoluble except K2CO3, Na2CO3 and (NH4)2CO3.

Attention!
All metal oxides and hydroxides are insoluble in water except Na2O, K2O, NaOH and KOH.
(Barium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide are slightly soluble in water)
Activity 2:*Shade the insoluble salts in Activity 1; Question 2.

Activity 3:Classify the salt in the table below :

Type of salt

Soluble

Insoluble

Nitrate

Chloride
EXCEPT
Sulphate

Carbonate

Chapter 8

EXCEPT
Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3
Potassium carbonate, K2CO3
Ammonium carbonate, (NH3)2CO3

All other carbonate salts

Salts

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4.

Chapter 8

The PREPARATION of salt depends on its solubility in water.

Preparation of salt
.
Soluble
Method I

Insoluble
Method II
Method III

K+, Na+, NH4+

Other than K+, Na+,

Double decomposition reaction

[Method : Precipitation]

NH4+ salt

Acid + Alkali Salt + H2O

Acid + metal Salt + H2
Titration of acid and alkali
method using an indicator.

Add acid to the alkali until it is

neutral with the aid of an
indicator.
Repeat the procedure without
using an indicator.

Acid + metal oxide/base Salt + H2O

Acid + metal carbonate Salt + H2O + CO2

Add metal/base oxide fillings/excessive

metal carbonate to the acid and heat it.
Filter to remove excess solid (residue).

Evaporate the filtrated until it becomes a

saturated solution.
Dip in a glass rod, if crystals are formed
immediately, the solution is saturated.
Cooled at room temperature
Filter and dry by using filter paper.

Mix two solutions containing cations

and anions of insoluble salts.
Stir with glass rod.
Filter using filter funnel.
Rinse the residue with distilled water.
Dry the residue with filter paper.

Activity 4 :Chapter 8

Salts

4541 CHEMISTRY

Chapter 8

Based on your practical book [ page 113] and diagrams given, describe how to prepare the
potassium chloride salts in the laboratory. (Method I)

KOH
KOH
KOH

V cm3

Salt solution
(no indicator)

1.

25.0 cm3 of 1 mol dm-3 . solution is measured using 25.0

cm3 pipette and transferred into a conical flask.

2.

2 or 3 drops of . are added into the conical flask. [the

colourless solution turns pink]

3.

A clean burette is filled with 1 mol dm-3 of . The initial

reading of the burette is recorded.

4.

. from the burette is added slowly into the

. solution while shaking the conical flask, until the pink
solution turns ..

5.

The final reading of the burette is recorded.

6.

Volume of hydrochloric acid added to the sodium hydroxide solution is calculated and
recorded.

7.

Step 1 to 5 are repeated without the using phenolphthalein, using the volume of hydrochloric
acid obtained

8.

The salt solution in the conical flask is poured into an evaporating dish.

9.

The solution is heated until it becomes .

Chapter 8

Salts

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10.

Chapter 8

The hot saturated solution is . to room temperature for

crystallisation to occur.

11.

The contents are . to obtain the potassium chloride, KCl

crystals.

12.

The crystals are pressed between two pieces of filter paper to be dried.

13.

The chemical equation :

NaOH

+ HCl

___________

H2O

Activity 5 :1

Diagram below shows the method of preparing a soluble salt.

Complete the diagram by drawing the set-up of apparatus used to obtain the salt crystals in the
space provided.

Metal oxide powder

Excess metal oxide
Salt solution
3

50 cm of 2.0 mol dm
acid

-3

Salt solution
Heat

The solution is allowed to cool

Filter papers
Dry salt crystals are obtained

Chapter 8

Salts

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(a)

Chapter 8

State two steps that are required to speed up the reaction betwen metal oxide and acid.
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................

(b)

Based on the diagram, state two substances that are used to prepare zinc chloride salt.
........................................................................................................................................

Diagram below shows the method of preparing an insoluble salt.

Solution Y

Solution X

Salt

Salt
Mixing two solution

(a)

Filter and rinse

Dry

Based on the diagram, state two suitable substances that are used to prepare lead(II)
iodide salt.
........................................................................................................................................

(b)

State the type of reaction in (a).

........................................................................................................................................

(c)

Write the ionic equation for the reaction.

........................................................................................................................................

Chapter 8

Salts

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Chapter 8

Complete the table below with the suitable substances :

Solution X

Calcium chloride

Solution Y

Salt Z

Sodium sulphate

Lead(II) sulphate

Potassium

Calcium sulphate
Barium sulphate
Silver chloride
Lead(II) chloride
Zinc carbonate
Calcium carbonate

5.

PURIFICATION of soluble salts :

Soluble salt purified through .. process.

Diagram :
Impure salt

Stir
Impurities
Salt solution
Distilled water

Salt solution
Heat

Dry pure salt crystals

Chapter 8

The solution is allowed to cool

Salts

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Chapter 8

10

Activity 5 :Write for soluble salts and X for insoluble salts.

Write all the possible chemical equations to prepare the soluble salts
Write chemical equation and ionic equation for insoluble salts.
Salt

/X

Equation
Zn + HCl

Zinc chloride

ZnO + HCl
ZnCO3 + HCl

Sodium nitrate

Silver chloride

Copper(II) sulphate

Lead(II) sulphate

Aluminium nitrate

Lead(II) chloride

Magnesium nitrate

Potassium chloride

Lead(II) nitrate

Chapter 8

Salts

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11

Chapter 8

Barium sulphate

Activity 6 :1

Salt is prepared by following methods :

Method A : reaction between metal oxide and acid.
Method B : double decomposition involving two solutions of salts.
You are required to prepare lead(II) sulphate and copper(II) sulphate salts.
(a)
Based on the method above, select suitable method to prepare each salt.
(b)
State the chemical substances needed for preparing each salt.
(c)
Write a chemical equation to prepare each salt.
(d)
Describe an experiment to prepare each salt.

(a)

(b)

The following are three examples of chloride salts that can be prepared in the laboratory.
Sodium chloride

Lead(II) chloride

Copper(II) chloride

(i)

From these examples, identify the soluble salt and insoluble salt.

(ii)

State the reactants for the preparation of the insoluble salt in (a) (i).

You are required to prepare magnesium nitrate salt from the chemical substances provided
below.

Magnesium oxide

Dilute nitric acid

Your answer should include the chemical equations involved in the reactions.

Magnesium sulphate is a soluble salt

Describe a laboratory experiment to prepare a dry magnesium sulphate.
In your description, include the chemical equation involved.

Chapter 8

Salts

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Chapter 8

12

Diagram below shows the reactions involved in the preparation of soluble salts.
Potassium salts
Ammonium salts
Sodium salts

Asid + alkali salt + water

Soluble salts

Reaction X

Reaction Y

Other salts

Reaction Z
(a)

Sodium, potassium and ammonium salts can be prepared using reaction between acid
and alkali. State the reaction X, Y and Z.

(b)

By choosing one of the reactions in (a) (i), suggest example of reactants used and
products formed.
Write the chemical equation for the reaction based on your suggestion.

Diagram below shows a series of reactions for the production of copper(II) nitrate and
substance B with coper(II) carbonate as the initial reactant.

+ HCl

CuCO3

(a)

Stage I

Solution A
+
CO2
+
Water

+ Pb(NO3)2
Stage II

Cu(NO3)2
+
Substance B

State the name of the

(i)

Solution A :
..

Chapter 8

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(ii)

Chapter 8

13

Substance B :
..

(b)

In Stage I, 20 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid is reacted with excess copper(II)
carbonate powder.
(i)

Write the chemical equation for this reaction.

..

(c)

(ii)

Calculate the maximum volume of carbon dioxide gas that can be produced at room
condition.
[The molar volume of any gas is 24 dm3 mol-1 at room condition]

(i)

Name the type of reaction that takes place in Stage II.

..

(ii)

State how to separate substance B from the mixture.

..

Diagram below shows the set up of apparatus for the preparation of copper(II) sulphate.
Copper (II) oxide powder is added into acid X until in excess.
Stir
Excess copper(II) oxide
powder
Acid X
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Heat
Chapter 8

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(a)

14

Chapter 8

State the colour of copper(II) sulphate solution.

...................................................................................................................................

(b)

Based on the diagram, state the name the of acid X used to prepare copper(II) sulphate.
...............

(c)

Write the chemical equation for the preparation of copper (II) sulphate.
...................................................................................................................................

(d)

State the reason why copper(II) oxide powder is added until in excess.
...............

Which of the following salts can be prepared by a precipitation method?

A

Sodium sulphate

Copper(II) chloride

Lead(II) chloride

Potassium carbonate

Which of the following reactions does not produce magnesium chloride?

A

Magnesium oxide and hydrochloric acid

Magnesium powder and hydrochloric acid

Magnesium nitrate and hydrochloric acid

Magnesium carbonate and hydrochloric acid

A white precipitate formed when sodium sulphate solution is added to solution Z.

Which of the following solutions is most probably solution Z?
A

Zinc nitrate

Silver nitrate

Chapter 8

Salts

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Chapter 8

15

Calcium nitrate

Magnesium nitrate

Qualitative Analysis of Salt

Identification of ions [Qualitative Analysis]
The qualitative analysis involves three important steps :
I
Physical properties
II
Thermal effect
III
Confirmatory tests for cations and anions

Physical Properties
(a) Physical state at room conditions :
Most of salts exist as solid ionic compound
If the salt exist as an aqueous solution it must be a soluble salt.
(b) Colour
Solid

Aqueous
solution

Salts / Metal oxide

White

Colourless

K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Pb2+, NH4+ salt

Green
Light Green

Light Green

Blue

Blue

Brown

Brown

Black
Yellow when hot
White when cold
Brown when hot
Yellow when cold

Chapter 8

CuCO3
Fe2+ salt FeSO4, FeCl2, Fe(NO3)2
CuSO4, Cu(NO3)2, CuCl2
Fe3+ salt Fe2(SO4)3 FeCl3, Fe(NO3)3
CuO
ZnO

PbO

Salts

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Chapter 8

16

II Thermal Effect

Salt

Metal oxide
(residue identification refers
to specific cation only)

Gas
Nitrogen dioxide
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide

Gas
(gas identification refers to
specific anion only)

Test / Observation

Anion

NO2 Brown gas/fumes is liberated.

O2

Colourless gas, rekindles

glowing wooden splinter

CO2 Lime water turns chalky

NO3-

CO32 -

Test For Gases

PROCEDURE / TEST

OBSERVATION

INFERENCE

Lower a glowing wooden splinter into the

test tube.

Glowing wooden splinter is

rekindled.

The gas liberated is

oxygen, O2

Bring a lighted wooden splinter to the

mouth of the test tube.

A colourless gas that

explodes with a pop
sound.

The gas liberated is

hydrogen, H2

Bubble/flow the gas produced into lime

water.

Lime water turns

milky/chalky // White
precipitate is formed.

The gas liberated is

carbon dioxide, CO2

Bring a piece of moist red litmus paper to

the mouth of the test tube.

Moist red litmus paper

turns blue.

The gas liberated is

alkaline,
it is ammonia, NH3

Bubble the gas produced through acidified

potassium manganate(VII) solution.
Bring a piece of moist blue litmus paper to
the mouth of the test tube.
Bring a piece of moist blue litmus paper to
the mouth of the test tube.

Chapter 8

Purple colour of the

acidified KMnO4 solution
is decolourises.
A brown gas is liberated
Moist blue litmus paper
turns red.
A greenish-yellow gas is
liberated.
Moist blue litmus paper

The gas liberated is

sulphur dioxide, SO2
The gas liberated is
nitrogen dioxide, NO2
The gas liberated is
acidic,
it is chlorine, Cl2

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Chapter 8

17

turns red.
Bring a piece of moist blue litmus paper to
the mouth of the test tube.
1.

The gas liberated is

acidic and it is
hydrogen chloride,
HCl

Moist blue litmus paper

turns red.

Thermal effect on nitrate and carbonate salts.

Nitrate salt

Carbonate salt

Metal oxide

Metal oxide

NO2

O2

Except :
Potassium,
sodium and
ammonium
salt.

CO2

Activity 6 :Write down the chemical equations for the reactions that occur.
Cation

Nitrate (NO3- )

Carbonate (CO32 - )

(i)

Decompose into metal nitrite and O2 gas

Is not decomposed by heat

K+

..KNO3 KNO2 + O2

Na+
(ii)

Decompose into metal oxide, NO2 gas and O2 gas

Ca2+

Decompose into metal oxide and CO2 gas

CaCO3 CaO + CO2

Mg2+
Al3+
Zn2+
Fe3+
Pb2+

Chapter 8

Salts

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Cu2+

Chapter 8

18

Cu(NO3)2 CuO + NO2 + O2

Sulphate salts usually do not decompose.
Chloride salts do not decompose except NH4Cl.

NH4Cl(s)
Activity 7 :1

NH3(g)

+ HCl(g)

[ sublimation process ]

Table below shows the incomplete observation for an experiment :

Experiment

Procedure

Observation
1.

Copper(II) carbonate is heated

and the gas produced is passed
through lime water.

Green solid turns

2.
The lime water turns

Heat

(a)
(b)

Complete the observation on the table above.

Based on the observation, name the products in the experiment and write the chemical
equation for the reaction occured.
Products : ..
Chemical equation

Diagram below shows the decomposition of compound X to form lead(II) oxide, and gas Q.
Compound X

Lead(II) oxide

Gas Y

Gas Z

Gas Y is a brown gas.

Based on the diagram above,
(i)

state the name of the gas Y.

................................................................................................................................................

(ii)

state the colour of lead(II) oxide when it is hot and cold.

................................................................................................................................................

Chapter 8

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(iii)

Chapter 8

19

write the formula of compound X.

................................................................................................................................................

(iv)

write the chemical equation for the reaction.

................................................................................................................................................

Confirmatory Tests for Cations and Anions

2.

(a) Chemical tests should be conducted for the confirmation of anions and cations in aqueous
form.

(b) Cation confirmation It is done by adding a small amount of sodium hydroxide solution,
NaOH(aq) / aqueous ammonia solution, NH3(aq) followed by excess sodium hydroxide /
aqueous ammonia solution.

(i)

Reaction with sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH(aq)

Sodium hydroxide

Cation
+ NaOH(aq)

Solution with cation

No

Precipitate
formed?

NH4+

Yes

Colour of
precipitate

White

+ excess NaOH(aq)
Blue

Green

Brown

Cu2+

Fe2+

Fe3+

Chapter 8

Mg2+

No

Precipitate
dissolve?

Yes

Ca2+

Salts

Zn2+

Al3+

Pb2+

4541 CHEMISTRY

Chapter 8

20

Reaction with ammonia solution, NH3(aq)

(ii)

Ammonia solution

Cation
+ NH3(aq)

Solution with cation

No

Ca

+
4

NH

Yes

Precipitate
formed?

Colour of
precipitate

2+

White

+ excess NH3(aq)
Blue

Green

Brown

Cu2+

Fe2+

Fe3+

No

Precipitate
dissolve?

Yes

+ excess NH3(aq)
2+

Precipitate dissolve
in excess NH3 (aq)
to form blue
solution

Chapter 8

Mg

Al

3+

Pb

2+

Zn2+

Salts

4541 CHEMISTRY

Chapter 8

21

Confirmatory Tests For Cations

3.

Cations

Test with a small amount of sodium

hydroxide solution until in excess

Ca2+

white precipitate, insoluble in excess

Mg2+

white precipitate, insoluble in excess

white precipitate, insoluble in excess

Al3+

white precipitate, soluble in excess

white precipitate, insoluble in excess

Zn2+

white precipitate, soluble in excess

white precipitate, soluble in excess

green precipitate, insoluble in excess

green precipitate, insoluble in excess

Fe3+

brown precipitate, insoluble in excess

brown precipitate, insoluble in excess

Pb2+

white precipitate, soluble in excess

white precipitate, insoluble in excess

Cu2+

blue precipitate, insoluble in excess

blue precipitate, soluble in excess

Fe2+

NH4+

Test with a small amount of ammonia

solution until in excess
-

Confirmatory Tests for ammonium ion, NH4+

(a) Nessler reagent

a small amount of Nessler reagent is added into the solution.

brown precipitate are formed.

(b) Heat
sodium hydroxide solution is added to a small amount of solution contains NH4+

Chapter 8

NH4+

Salts
+
NaOH(aq)
heat

4541 CHEMISTRY

Chapter 8

22

the solution is heated.

A piece of moist red litmus paper is placed. Red moist litmus paper turns blue.

To differentiate between Al3+ and Pb2+

4.

Al3+ // Pb2+
+ H2SO4 / Na2SO4

+ KI

+ HCl / NaCl
No changes

White precipitate

No changes
No changes

Pb2+

(b)

Al3+

(c)

White precipitate

(a)

Al3+

Yellow precipitate

Al3+

Pb2+

Pb2+

Write the ionic equations for the formation of precipitate :

(a) : .
(b) : .
(c) : .

Chapter 8

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5.

Chapter 8

23

Confirmatory Tests For Anions

Anion

CO32-

Tests

2 cm3 of dilute HCl / H2SO4 is added to 2 cm3 of

aqueous solution of carbonate ions.
Effervescence occurs and the gas released turns
lime water chalky.

Cl-

Dilute HNO3 is added to 2 cm3 of an aqueous

solution of chloride ions followed by
2 cm3 of silver nitrate solution.
A white precipitate is formed.

SO42-

Dilute HCl / HNO3 is added to 2 cm3 of an aqueous

solution of sulphate ions followed by 2 cm3 barium
chloride / barium nitrate solution.
A white precipitate is formed.

NO3-

2 cm3 of dilute H2SO4 is added to solution of nitrate

ions followed by 2 cm3 of Iron(II) sulphate. The
mixture is shaken. The test tube is slanted and held
with a test tube holder. A few drops of concentrated
H2SO4 acid is dropped along the wall of the test tube
and is held upright.
A brown ring is formed.

Chapter 8

Conclusion / Ionic equation

Salts

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24

Chapter 8

Activity 8 :1

Table below shows four types of salts.

Sodium carbonate
Zinc nitrate
Lead(II) chloride
Copper(II) sulphate
With reference to the salts given above, answer the following question :
(a)

Write the chemical formula of sodium carbonate.

..................................................................................................................................

(b)

Name the salt which is insoluble in water.

..................................................................................................................................

(c)

(i)

What is observed when zinc nitrate salt is heated.

..............................................................................................................................

(ii)

Write the chemical equation to represent the reaction.

.....................................................................................................................

(d)

State the type of reaction in the preparation of lead(II) chloride salt.

........................................................................................................................................

(e)

Describe how to verify copper(II) ion and sulphate ion in copper(II) sulphate solution.
(i)

copper(II) ion :
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................

(ii)

sulphate ion :
..............................................................................................................................

Chapter 8

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25

Chapter 8

..............................................................................................................................

Nitric acid reacts with substance Y and produces a gas which changes lime water chalky as one
of the products.
Which of the following is substance Y?
A

Mg

NaOH

C
D

CaCO3
Al2O3

When potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) solution is added to solution X, a dark blue precipitate is

formed. Then, solution X is added with barium chloride solution in another test tube, a white
precipitate is formed. The formula of the solution X is ..
A
B
C
D

FeCl2
FeSO4
Fe(NO3)3
Fe2(SO4)3

Which of the following reagent can be used to differentiate iron(II) ion, Fe 2+ and iron(III) ion, Fe3+?
I
II
III
IV

Ammonia solution
Potassium bromide solution
Acidified potassium manganate(VII) solution
Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) solution

A
B
C
D

I and II
I and IV
II and III
III and IV

A white precipitate formed when sodium sulphate solution is added to solution Z.

Which of the following solutions is most probably solution Z?
A
B
C

Chapter 8

Zinc nitrate
Silver nitrate
Calcium nitrate

Salts

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Chapter 8

26

Magnesium nitrate

Figure below shows an incomplete flow chart of cation and anion tests for salts X?
Salt X

Cation test

Anion test

Mg2+

NO3-

(ii) Describe the test that you use in the laboratory to confirm that salt X contains magnesium
ions, Mg2+ and nitrate ions, NO3-. Include in your observations.
[10 marks]

Chapter 8

Salts