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Test: A clean nichrome wire was dipped in a white crystalline salt and held over a Bunsen flame. The colour of
the flame was observed.
Observation: A green flame was observed.
Interpretation: As the metal is heated valence electrons absorb the energy and is promote to move from a
lower quantum (energy) level to a higher quantum level and then radiation is emitted as the electron falls back
to a lower quantum level. A green flame is indicative of Ba2+ is visible in the electromagnetic spectrum with a
wavelength of approximately 450-560 nm.
Cu2+
Test: A clean nichrome wire was dipped in a blue crystalline salt and held over a Bunsen flame. The colour of
the flame was observed.
Observation: A blue-green flame was observed.
Interpretation: As the metal is heated valence electrons absorb the energy and is promote to move from a
lower quantum (energy) level to a higher quantum level and then radiation is emitted as the electron falls back
to a lower quantum level. A blue-green flame is indicative of Cu2+ is visible in the electromagnetic spectrum
with a wavelength of approximately 480-560 nm.
Systematic Tests
Mg2+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Mg2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a white precipitate (ppt) was observed. The ppt increased as the drops of NaOH(aq)
increased.
Excess
Precipitate remained in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
Mg2+(aq) + 2OH- (aq) Mg(OH)2(s)
The presence of the white ppt is indicative of a sparingly soluble Mg(OH)2(s) . Mg(OH)2(s) is not amphoteric
which is why it did not dissolve in excess NaOH(aq).
Test with NH4OH(aq)
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Approximately 2cm3 of Mg2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NH4OH(aq)was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NH4OH(aq)was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 3rd drop of NH4OH(aq)a white precipitate (ppt) was observed. The ppt increased as the drops of
NH4OH(aq) increased.
Excess
Precipitate remained in excess of NH4OH(aq)
Interpretation
Mg2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Mg(OH)2(s)
The presence of the white ppt is indicative of a sparingly soluble Mg(OH)2(s) . Mg(OH)2(s) is not amphoteric
which is why it did not dissolve in excess NH4OH(aq)
Ca2+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Ca2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a white precipitate (ppt) was observed. The ppt increased as the drops of NaOH(aq)
increased.
Excess
Precipitate remained in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
Ca2+(aq) + 2OH- (aq) Ca(OH)2(s)
The presence of the white ppt is indicative of a sparingly soluble Ca(OH)2(s) . Ca(OH)2(s) is not amphoteric
which is why it did not dissolve in excess NaOH(aq).
Test with NH4OH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Ca2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NH4OH(aq)was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NH4OH(aq)was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
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Observation
Dropwise
At the 3rd drop of NH4OH(aq) a smell of ammonia was noted, no ppt was observed. There was no ppt was
observed as the drops increased.
Excess
No ppt observed in excess of NH4OH(aq). Strong smell of ammonia observed.
Interpretation
Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Ca(OH)2(aq)
No ppt suggests that Ca(OH)2(aq) is soluble in excess NH4OH(aq). The smell of Ammonia indicates that the
NH4+(g was being released as the CaOH was being formed.
Ba2+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Ba2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) no precipitate (ppt) was observed. At the 3rd drop a faint white ppt was formed.
Precipitate increased as the drops of NaOH(aq) increased.
Excess
Precipitate remained in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Ba(OH)2(s)
Barium has a slightly unsoluble hydroxide, which is why it took much longer for a precipitate to be formed in
the NaOH(aq)
Test with NH4OH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Ba2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NH4OH(aq)was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NH4OH(aq)was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
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Dropwise
No ppt was formed, no changes observed.
Excess
No ppt observed in excess of NH4OH(aq).
Interpretation
Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Ba(OH)2(aq)
Barium is slightly unsoluble.
Al3+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Al3+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a white precipitate (ppt) was observed. Precipitate increased as the drops of
NaOH(aq) increased.
Excess
Precipitate dissolves in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
Al3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) Al(OH)3(s)
Aluminium is redissolves in excess NaOH to form a complex ion Al(OH) -4.
Al(OH)3(s) + OH(aq) [Al(OH)4](aq)
This indicates that the Aluminium hydroxide displayed amphoteric behaviour.
Excess
Precipitate observed in excess of NH4OH(aq).
Interpretation
Al3+(aq) + 3OH- (aq) Al(OH)3(s)
Al(OH)3 is sparingly soluble in excess NH4OH(aq).
Pb2+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Pb2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a white precipitate (ppt) was observed. Precipitate increased as the drops of
NaOH(aq) increased.
Excess
Precipitate dissolves in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
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Cr3+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Cr3+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a green-grey precipitate (ppt) was observed. Precipitate increased as the drops of
NaOH(aq) increased.
Excess
Precipitate dissolves in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
2Cr3+(aq) + 6OH-(aq) 2Cr(OH)3(s)
Cr(OH) is redissolves in excess NaOH to form a complex ion [Cr(OH)6]-3.
Cr(OH)3(s) + 3OH-(aq) [Cr(OH)6]-3(aq)
This indicates that the Cr(OH) displayed amphoteric behaviour.
Mn2+
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Fe2+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Fe2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) an green precipitate (ppt) was observed. Precipitate increased as the drops of
NaOH(aq) increased.
Excess
Precipitate became darker and was slightly gel-like in excess of NaOH(aq).
Interpretation
Fe2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Fe(OH)2(s)
Fe(OH)2(s) is sparingly soluble in excess NaOH. The Fe(OH)2(s) oxidized to form Fe(OH)3 which resulted in
the ppt becoming darker and gel-like.
Observation
Dropwise
At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a dark brown precipitate (ppt) was observed. Precipitate increased as the drops of
NaOH(aq) increased to give a gel-like red-brown ppt.
Excess
Precipitate remains in excess of NaOH(aq)
Interpretation
2Fe3+(aq) + 6OH-(aq) 2Fe(OH)3(s)
Fe(OH)3 is remains in excess NaOH indicating that the hydroxide is sparingly soluble.
Zn2+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Zn2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq) was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
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At the 1st drop of NaOH(aq) a white precipitate (ppt) was observed. Precipitate increased as the drops of
NaOH(aq).
Excess
Precipitate redissolves in excess of NaOH(aq). Colour change from white to transparent.
Interpretation
Zn2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Zn(OH)2(s)
Zn(OH)2 dissolves in excess NaOH indicating that the hydroxide is soluble and formed a complex ion.
Zn(OH)2(s) + 2OH(aq) [Zn(OH)4]-2(aq)
Test with NH4OH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of Zn2+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NH4OH(aq)was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NH4OH(aq)was then
added in excess and reaction observed.
Observation
Dropwise
At 1st drop a white ppt was formed. Precipitate increased as drops increased.
Excess
Precipitate redissolved in excess of NH4OH(aq). Colour changed from white to transparent.
Interpretation
Zn2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Zn(OH)2(s)
Zn(OH)2 redissolved in excess NH4OH(aq) indicating that the hydroxide is soluble and formed a complex ion.
Zn(OH)2(s) + 4NH3(aq) [Zn(NH3)4]2+(aq) + 2OHNH4+
Test with NaOH(aq)
Approximately 2cm3 of NH4+(aq) solution was poured in a test tube. Diluted NaOH(aq)was added to the solution
dropwise to the solution, the test tube was gently shaken until a reaction was observed. NaOH(aq) was then added
in excess and reaction observed. The combined solution was then heated until a reaction occurred.
Observation
No change was observed as the NaOH(aq) was added to the solution dropwise or in excess. As the solution was
heated a colourless gas was observed.
Interpretation
NH4+(aq) + OH- Na(aq) + NH3 + H2O(l)
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Discussion
Qualitative analysis is used to identify the elements present in a substance. The compounds of the following
salts were tested, Mg2+- white crystal, Ca2+-white powder, Ba2+- fine white crystals, Al3+ - medium white
crystals, Pb2+-white crystals, Cr3+- green powder, Mn2+- pink crystals, Fe2+-pale green crystals, Fe3+- orange
brown crystals, Zn3+- fine white crystals and NH4+- fine white crystals. This confirms that transition metals
have a coloured salt or a coloured aqueous solution (Cr3+, Mn2+, Fe2+ & Fe3+) For the Flame tests carried out the
presence of a flame colour is due to excitation of valence-shell electrons upon heating, followed by return of the
electrons with the emission of light to lower energy levels. Flame tests cannot be used for all elements, as not all
elements yield a measurable spectrum. Most metallic elements can be qualitatively analysed by using aqueous
NaOH and aqueous NH4OH. Precipitates in each reaction during the drop applications confirms the presence of
an insoluble (sparingly soluble) metal ion, the evidence of colour changes and smells are further indication of
which cation we are working with. For e.g. Mg2+- white ppt, Cr2+ - grey-green ppt and Mn2+- light brown ppt to
name a few. The presence of precipitates in excess of the reagents indicates that the metal ion is neither
amphoteric nor soluble. For e.g. Mg2+ and Fe2+. Metallic ions that redissolved in excess of the reagents such as
Al3+ and Zn2+in NaOH exhibited amphoteric behaviour as both hydroxide dissolves in acids as well. Al3+ and
Pb2+ both form white ppt in NaOH(aq), the precipitates are soluble in excess, while in NH4(aq) they are insoluble
in excess. As can be seen, Al3+ and Pb2+ give the same results. So, to differentiate between them, another
reaction must be considered. Pb2+ will form a white precipitate with Cl- while Al3+ will not. Two other cations
form white precipitates. Zn2+ forms a white precipitate, which is soluble both in excess NaOH(aq) and NH4(aq)OH
and Ca2+ forms a white precipitate which is insoluble in excess NaOH but does not form a precipitate when
treated with NH4(aq)OH. It should also be noted that the tests with HCl were exothermic reactions and all others
were endothermic.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the aim of this experiment was achieved as it was possible to confirm the cations that
were present by using a Flame test for: Na2+, K+, Ca2+, Ba2+ and Cu2+. Using diluted NaOH and diluted NH4OH
as reagents the following metals could be confirmed: Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+ and Zn2+. A
further test with diluted HCl was able to confirm samples of Al3+ and Pb2+. A heat test could confirm the
presence of Ammonium ion using NaOH.
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