Tests

Ion Formula Test Observations

Carbonate CO32- Test 1 Limewater should turn
Heat the solid in a test from colourless to cloudy
tube with a Bunsen in the presence of carbon
burner. dioxide due to
It should decompose precipitation of calcium
carbonate.
producing the oxide and
carbon dioxide. E.g.

Test for the gas using

limewater solution.
Test 2 Vigorous effervesence.
Add dilute HCl to the Limewater should turn
solid. from colourless to
Test for the gas evolved cloudy in the presence
using limewater solution. of carbon dioxide due
to the precipitation of
calcium carbonate.
Hydrogencarbonate HCO3- Test No precipitate forms
Add calcium chloride to a since calcium
hydrogencarbonate hydrogencarbonate is
solution. soluble.

Sulphate (VI) SO42- Test White precipitate of

Add barium chloride barium sulphate forms.
solution acidified with
dilute HCl to the test
solution.
Sulphite SO32- Test The solution turns green.
Warm the sulphite with
dilute HCl.
Test for gases using
acidified potassium
dichromate (VI) solution
(or paper)
Chloride Cl- Test 1 White steamy acidic
Add concentrated fumes are seen - HCl
 sulphuric acid to the solid fumes.
chloride.
Test 2 Cream precipitate of
Add dilute nitric acid to a AgCl forms.
solution of chloride to Solid dissolves.
acidify the solution. This
eliminates any
carbonates or sulphites.
Add silver nitrate to the
solution.
Add dilute ammonia
solution.
Bromide Br- Test 1 Steamy brownish acid
Add concentrated fumes are seen,
sulphuric acid to the solid
bromide.
Test 2
Add dilute nitric acid to a Cream precipitate of AgBr
solution of a bromide to forms.
acidify the solution. This
eliminates any Solid dissolves.
carbonates or sulphites.
Add silver nitrate to the
solution.
Add concentrated
ammonia solution.
Iodide I- Test 1 Purple acidic fumes are
Add concentrated sulphuric seen. The mixture turns
acid to the solid iodide. to a brown slurry.
Test 2 Yellow precipitate of AgI
Add dilute nitric acid to a forms.
solution of a iodide to
acidify the solution. This Solid is insoluble.
eliminates any carbonates
or sulphites.

Add silver nitrate to the

solution.

Add concentrated ammonia

solution.
Nitrate NO3- Test 1 Oxygen gas is evolved
Heat solid nitrate. that will relight a glowing
splint.
If group 1 solid (not Li) then
will decompose to give the Brown gas is seen (NO2).
nitrite and oxygen. Oxygen gas is also
evolved and will relight a
All other solid nitrates glowing splint.
decompose to give the
metal oxide, nitrogen
dioxide and oxygen.
Test 2 Litmus paper turns blue in
Boil nitrate solution with the presence of
aluminium/Devarda's ammonia.
alloy, n sodium hydroxide
solution.
Test vapour with red
litmus paper.

Ammonium NH4+ Test NH3 turns the litmus paper

Warm ammonium blue.
compound with NaOH.
Test vapours immediately
using damp red litmus
paper.
Lithium Li+ Test
Dip nichrome wire in HCl. A carmine red flame is
seen.
Dip wire in solid.

Heat wire in centre of flame.

Observe colour of flame.

Sodium Na+ Test A yellow flame is seen.
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.

Dip wire in solid.

Heat wire in centre of flame.

Observe colour of flame.

Potassium K+ Test A lilac flame is seen.
 Dip nichrome wire in HCl.

Dip wire in solid.

Heat wire in centre of flame.

Observe colour of flame.

Magnesium Mg2+ Test A white solid forms which
Add NaOH solution to the is insoluble in excess
magnesium solid. NaOH(aq). This is
Mg(OH)2(s)
Calcium Ca2+ Test A brick red flame is seen.
Dip nichrome wire in HCl.

Dip wire in solid.

Heat wire in centre of flame.

Observe colour of flame.

Strontium Sr2+ Test A crimson red flame is
Dip nichrome wire in HCl. seen.

Dip wire in solid.

Heat wire in centre of flame.

Observe colour of flame.

Barium Ba2+ Test A apple green flame is
Dip nichrome wire in HCl. seen.
Dip wire in solid.
Heat wire in centre of
flame.
Observe colour of flame.