Qualitative Analysis by Eric Brown( CIE Chief Examiner of Paper 3) WHEN ADDING ALKALI TO A SOLUTION THAT IS ACIDIC No permanent

precipitate will form until the solution has been neutralized. If the alkali is added a little at a time a precipitate will form at the top of the solution where the acid in a small volume of a solution has been neutralized. The precipitate will disappear on shaking the test tube as mixing the solution restores acidity. This is NOT a precipitate soluble in excess. WHEN ADDING ACID TO A SOLUTION THAT IS ALKALINE For Al, Pb and Zn the ion may be dissolved in an alkaline solution. Adding an appropriate acid to the solution will produce a white ppt, soluble in excess of the acid. This reversal of the normal test for colourless cations often causes confusion. Gases Gases that are coloured or have a distinctive smell All are harmful Ammonia colourless Chlorine- yellowish-green Sulfur dioxide- choking smell Nitrogen dioxide- brown coloured gas, is formed from colourless nitrogen oxide Gases Carbon dioxide- turn limewater chalky Hydrogen- pop sound with lighted splinter Oxygen- rekindle a glowing splinter Density of gas Hydrogen<Oxygen<Carbon dioxide Density ( at room temperature) Air 1.20 Carbon dioxide 1.83

Hydrogen- 0.0833 Oxygen-1.33 ANIONS Chromate Two cations, Barium and Lead(II) ions, give yellow ppt. Compare the colour and brightness of the ppt. Lighter colour- Barium chromate; Deeper colour- Lead chromate Halides With aqueous silver nitrate the halides give ppt. Chloride- white ppt Bromide- cream ppt Iodide- yellow ppt It can be difficult to tell these apart Solubility of silver halide in dilute aqueous ammonia can help to identify the ion present Halides Dilute nitric acid is usually added before aqueous silver nitrate The acid is added to remove interfering ions. The hydroxide ions give a grey ppt of silver oxide Carbonate ions give a white ppt If the acid is added after the aqueous silver nitrate any ppt due to the interfering ions will disappear.