JOM CHEMISTRY A1

TOPIC: Salts
Name: .

Date Received :

Form:

Date Completed: ..

Qualitative Analysis of Salts

What is Qualitative analysis?

...

In the qualitative analysis of salts, we need to identify the ions that are present in salts. This can be
done by analysing their physical and chemical properties.
Observations on the physical properties of salts
1. Colour and solubility in water
Certain physical properties of salts such colour and solubitity in water are observed to help us infer
certain cations and anions that are present in salts.
Table shows the colour of salts in solid , in aqueous solution and the solubility of salts in water
Solubility in
Colour in
Salt
Colour in solid
water
Aqueous solution
1. Ammonium chloride NH4Cl
2. Ammonium nitrate NH4(NO3)2
3. Calcium carbonate CaCO3
4. Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2
5. Magnesium sulphate MgSO4
6. Magnesium carbonate MgCO3
7. Zinc sulphate ZnSO4
8. Zinc nitrate Zn(NO3)2
9. Lead(II) chloride , PbCl2
10. Lead(II) sulphate , PbSO4
11. Lead(II) carbonate , PbCO3

JOM CHEMISTRY A1
12. Copper(II) chloride , CuCl2
13 Copper(II) sulphate , PbSO4
14. Copper(II) carbonate , PbCO3
15. Iron(II) sulphate , FeSO4
16. Iron(III) chloride , FeCl3
17. Sodium nitrate , NaNO3
18, Sodium carbonate , Na2CO3
19. Potassium nitrate , KNO3
20. Potassium carbonate , K2CO3

Table shows the colour of different cations in solid form and in aqueous solution
Observation

Inference

Blue solution
Pale green solution
Yellow/Yellowishbrown/brown solution
Green solid
Brown solid
White solid
Colourless solution

Table shows the solubility of different types of salts in water

Compounds
Solubility in water
Sodium salts
Potassium salts
Ammonium salts
Nitrate salts
Chloride salts
Sulphate salts
Carbonate salts
2. Tests for gases

JOM CHEMISTRY A1

Gases are often produced from reactions carried out during laboratory tests on salts. By identifying the
gases evolved,it is possible to infer the types of cations and anions that are present in a salt.
Table shows the test and the result of different gases
Gas

Test

Result

Oxygen gas, O2
Hydrogen gas , H2
Carbon dioxide gas ,
CO2
Ammonia gas, NH3
Chlorine gas, Cl2
Hydrogen chlorine
gas , HCl
Sulphur dioxide gas ,
SO2
Nitrogen dioxide
gas , NO2

3.

Action of heat on salts

Effect of heat on carbonate salts

Carbonaate salt
Colour of salt before
heating
Copper (II)
carbonate, CuCO3
Zinc carbonate ,
ZnCO3
Lead(II) carbonate,
PbCO3
Sodium carbonate,
Na2CO3
Calcium carbonate,
CaCO3
Potassium
carbonate, K2CO3
Magnesium
carbonate, MgCO3
Effect of heat on nitrate salts
Nitrate Salt
Colour of salt before
heating
Copper (II) nitrate,
Cu(NO3)2
Zinc nitrate,
Zn(NO3)2
Lead(II) nitrate,
Pb(NO3)2

Hot

Colour of residue
cold

Colour of residue
Hot
cold

Effect on lime water

Test on gases liberated

JOM CHEMISTRY A1
Sodium nitrate,
NaNO3
Calcium nitrate,
Ca(NO3)2
Potassium nitrate,
KNO3
Magnesium nitrate,
Mg(NO3)2
Iron(II) nitrate,
Fe(NO3)2
Iron(III) nitrate,
Fe(NO3)3
The table shows the comparison of the effect of heat on carbonate and nitrate salts
Metal
Effect of heat on carbonate salt
Effect of heat on nitrate salt
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
Copper
Mercury
Silver
Gold
Most sulphate salts are not decomposed by heat. Only a few sulphate such as iron(II) sulphate,zinc sulphate and
copper sulphate decompose to sulphur dioxide or sulphur trioxide gas when heated.
All chloride salts are stable when heated except ammonium chloride. Ammonium chloride sublimes and
decomposes to produce ammonia gas and hydrogen chloride gas.
The table shows the deduction of the types of ion present based on the gas produced
Type of gas produced

Type of ion present

CO2
O2
NO2
SO2
NH3

Do it Yourself !
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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
1. State three examples of
a) soluble salts
b) insoluble salts
2. Which of the following salts is soluble

Lead(II) chloride

Sodium carbonate

Calcium sulphate

Barium sulphate

3. Identify the gas that turns moist red litmus paper blue
4. Gas X has the following properties

Colourless
Acidic gas
Turns lime water milky

Gas X is ___________________________________________
5.

Salt P

Heat

Metal oxide X

Gas Y

Colour of metal oxide X is yellow when hot and white when cold. Gas Y turns lime water milky.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Name gas Y ___________________________________________________

Name metal oxide X ____________________________________________
Name salt P __________________________________________________
Write an equation to represent the action of heat on salt P

6. A sample of copper(II) nitrate, Cu(NO3)2 was heated strongly. Write down the expected observation.

Qualitative Analysis of Salts

Tests for anions
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Reagent / Condition

Observation

Anion

Ionic Equation (if

any)

2 cm3 the unknown solution +

dilute hydrochloric acid / nitric
acid / sulphuric acid pour
into a test tube gas liberated
is immediately bubbled through
lime water.
2 cm3 of nitric acid + 2 cm3 of
the unknown solution pour
into a test tube + 2 cm3
silver nitrate solution
2 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric
acid / nitric acid + 2 cm3 of the
unknown solution pour into
a test tube + 2 cm3 of
barium chloride / barium nitrate
solution shake well
2 cm3 of the unknown solution
pour into a test tube
2 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid +
2 cm3 of iron(II) sulphate
solution shake well.
Then drop carefully and slowly
a few drops of concentrated
sulphuric acid along the side of
a slanting test tube into the
mixture without shaking it.

Confirmatory Test for Fe2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, NH4+ Ions

Confirmatory Test for Fe2+
Reagent
Potassium
hexacyanoferrate(II) solution

Observation
Pale blue precipitate

Conclusion

Dark blue precipitate

Potassium
hexacyanoferrate(III) solution

Dark blue precipitate

Greenish-brown solution

Potassium thiocyanate
solution

Pale red colouration

Blood red colouration

Confirmatory Test for Pb2+

JOM CHEMISTRY A1
Method

Observation

Ionic Equation

Using aqueous solution of chloride

- 2 cm3 of any solution of Cl- +
2 cm3 of any solution of Pb2+
dilute with 5 cm3 of distilled water
heat until no further change occurs
allow the content to cool to room
temperature using running water from
the tap
Using aqueous solution of iodide
- 2 cm3 of any solution of I- +
2 cm3 of any solution of Pb2+
dilute with 5 cm3 of distilled water
heat until no further change occurs
allow the content to cool to room
temperature using running water from
the tap

When heated

When cooled

Confirmatory Test for NH4+

Method

Observation

2 cm3 of any solution of NH4+ + 2 cm3 of

NaOH / KOH / Ca(OH)2 heat put a
piece of moist red litmus paper at the
mouth of the test tube

Reaction with Nessler Reagent

2 cm3 of any solution of NH4+ + 2 cm3 of
Nessler Reagent shake well

Do It Yourself !
Describe chemical tests that can be carried out in the laboratory to differentiate between
(a) lead(II) nitrate solution and aluminium nitrate solution
(b) aluminium nitrate solution and zinc nitrate solution
(c) ammonium chloride solution and potassium chloride solution
(d) iron(II) sulphate solution and iron(III) sulphate solution
(e) sodium chloride and sodium sulphate

REVISION EXERCISE 1
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JOM CHEMISTRY A1

1.

Write the formulae of the following ions.

Ions

Formula

Ions

Sodium ion

Chloride ion

Potassium ion

Nitrate ion

Zinc ion

Sulphate ion

Magnesium ion

Carbonate ion

Calcium ion

Hydroxide ion

Formula

Lead (II) ion

Copper(II) ion
Ammonium ion

REVISION EXERCISE 2
1. Write the formulae of the following ionic compounds.
Ions

Chloride, Cl-

Nitrate, NO3-

Sulphate, SO42-

Carbonate, CO32-

Sodium, Na+
Potassium, K+
Zinc, Zn2+
Magnesium, Mg2+
Calcium, Ca2+
Lead (II), Pb2+
Copper(II), Cu2+
Ammonium, NH4+

2. Write the formulae of the following salts.

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1

Sodium nitrate

Potassium sulphate

Magnesium chloride :

Copper(II) sulphate

Calcium chloride

Zinc sulphate

Lead (II) nitrate

Calcium carbonate

Sodium carbonate

Potassium chloride

3. Write the formulae of the following acids/ bases/ alkalis.

Copper(II) oxide

Magnesium oxide

:...

Lead (II) oxide

Sodium hydroxide

:...

Potassium hydroxide :

Ammonium hydroxide: .

Hydrochloric acid

Nitric acid

:...

Sulfuric acid

Ethanoic acid

:...

REVISION EXERCISE 3
1. Complete the following.
Acid + Base / alkali

2.

... + ....

Acid + Reactive metal

+ .

Acid + Carbonate metal

+ + ...

Complete the following equations.

a) HCl(aq)

PbO(s)

..

+ .

b) HNO3(aq)

NaOH(aq)

..

+ .

c) HCl(aq)

NH4OH(aq)

..

+ .

d) H2SO4(aq) +

CuCO3(s)

..

+ +

e) HCl(aq)

Na2CO3(s)

..

+ +

JOM CHEMISTRY A1

f) HCl(aq)

Mg(s)

..

+ .

g) H2SO4(aq)

CuO(s)

..

+ .

h) HNO3(aq)

Zn(s)

..

+ .

i) HNO3(aq)

MgO(s)

..

+ .

j) HNO3(aq)

CuCO3(s)

..

+ + .

k) H2SO4(aq)

NaOH(aq)

..

+ .

l) HNO3(aq)

PbCO3(s)

..

+ + .

3. Write the chemical equation of each of the following reactions.

a) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium

b) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc oxide

c) Dilute nitric acid reacts with copper(II) carbonate

d) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with potassium hydroxide solution

e) Dilute nitric acid reacts with copper(II) oxide

f) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with lead(II) carbonate

g) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide solution

h) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc

i) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with ammonia aqueous

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
REVISION EXERCISE 4
1 Write the formula of salts formed from each of the following reaction.
a) Sulphuric acid + copper(II) carbonate

b) Nitric acid + potassium hydroxide solution

c) Hydrochloride acid + ammonium hydroxide solution

2 Give example s of salts formed from their corresponding acids.

Acid
Salt
Example

Hydrochloric acid

Chloride salt

Sulphuric acid

Sulphate salt

Nitric acid

Nitrate salt

Carbonic acid

Carbonate salt

Determine whether each of the following salt is soluble or insoluble in water.

Solubility ( ,
Salt
Formulae
X)
1. Magnesium chloride
2. Lead(II) sulphate
3. Calcium carbonate
4. Zinc chloride
5. Silver chloride
6. Potassium carbonate
7. Lead(II) nitrate
8. Sodium sulphate
9. Ammonium chloride
10. Barium sulphate
11. Copper(II) nitrate
12. Copper(II) sulphate
13. Copper(II) carbonate
14. Iron(II) nitrate
15. Iron(III) chloride
16. Sodium carbonate
17. Ammonium carbonate
18. Silver nitrate
19. Tin(II) chloride
20. Zinc sulphate
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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
4. Write the chemical equation of each of the following reactions.
a) Hydrochloric acid + copper(II) oxide

b) Nitric acid + lead(II) carbonate

:.

c) Sulphuric acid + zinc

:.

d) Hydrochloric acid + magnesium oxide

:.

e) Nitric acid +calcium carbonate

:..

f) Sulphuric acid + magnesium

:..

5. Name a acid and a metal, metal oxide or metal carbonate that can be used to prepare the
following salts.
a) Copper(II) sulphate :
b) Lead(II) nitrate

:.

c) Zinc chloride

6. Name two aqueous solutions that can be used to prepare the following salts.
Write the chemical equation of each reaction.
a) lead(II) sulphate
:..
b) Silver chloride

: .

c) Zinc carbonate

: .

d) Barium sulphate

: .

7. Write the ionic equation of each of the precipitate reactions below.

a) Copper(II) nitrate solution + sodium carbonate solution

b) Zinc chloride solution + lead(II) nitrate solution

.
c) Dilute sulphuric acid + barium nitrate solution
.
d) Silver nitrate solution + hydrochloride acid
.
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JOM CHEMISTRY A1

Mastery Exercise 8.1

Name the salt and state whether each of the following salt is soluble or insoluble in water.
No

Formula of Salt

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

PbCO3
NaCl
CaSO4
AgNO3
K2CO3
AlCl3
Na2SO4
NH4NO3
CuSO4
PbCl2
ZnCO3
Ca(NO3)2
Na2CO3
AgCl
PbSO4
Pb(NO3)2
(NH4)2CO3
HgCl2
Na2SO4
NaNO3
MgCO3
KCl
(NH4)2SO4
Cu(NO3)2
SnCO3
CaCl2
BaSO4
KNO3
Ag2CO3
MgCl2
Ag2SO4
Ba(NO3)2
FeCO3
NH4Cl
Fe(NO3)3
MgSO4
BaCO3
ZnCl2
FeSO4
Mg(NO3)2

Name of Salt

Solubility ( , X )

Mastery Exercise 8.2:

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
Describe the preparation of soluble salts (not Na, K, NH4+ salt)
Soluble salt
Name two chemical substances to
prepare the salt

Copper(II) sulphate, CuSO4

1. ....
2.

Chemical equation
Procedure: (Diagram)

Description

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1

Mastery Exercise 8.3:

Describe the preparation of soluble salts of Na, K and NH4+
Soluble salt
Name two chemical substances to
prepare the salt

Sodium Chloride, NaCl

1. ....
2.

Chemical equation
Procedure: (Diagram)

Description

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1

Mastery Exercise 8.4:

Describe the preparation of insoluble salts
Soluble salt
Name two chemical substances to
prepare the salt

Lead(II) iodide, PbI2

1. ....
2.

Chemical equation
Ionic equation
Procedure: (Diagram)

Description

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
Numerical Problems involving stoichiometric reactions in the precipitation of salts
Question 1:
A student prepare copper(II) nitrate, Cu(NO3)2 by reacting copper(II) oxide, CuO with 200 cm3 of 2.0
moldm-3 nitric acid, HNO3. Calculate the mass of copper(II) oxide, CuO needed to react completely
with the acid.
[Relative atomic mass: Cu, 64 ; O, 16]

Question 2:
X cm3 of 0.5 moldm-3 sulphuric acid, H2SO4 is added to 100 cm3 of 1.0 moldm-3 lead(II) nitrate solution
to produce lead(II) sulphate, PbSO4.
a. Calculate the value of X.
b. Calculate the mass of lead(II) sulphate obtained.
[Relative atomic mass: Pb, 20; O, 16; S, 32]

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
Question 3:
Ammonium phosphate, (NH4)3PO4 is used as a fertiliser. 29.8 g of this salt is prepared by neutralising
phosphoric acid, H3PO4 with ammonia gas, NH3.
Calculate the volume of ammonia gas, NH3 reacted at room conditions.
[Ar = H, 1; N, 14; P, 31; O, 16. Molar volume: 24 dm3 mol-1 at room conditions]

Question 4:
Silver salts such as silver iodide, AgI are used in photography. A sample of the insoluble salt, AgI is
prepared by mixing 50 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm-3
silver nitrate, AgNO3 solution and 50 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm-3 potassium iodide, KI solution.
Calculate the mass of silver iodide, AgI produced.
[Ar = Ag, 108; I, 127]

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JOM CHEMISTRY A1
Question 4:
Acids reacts with calcium carbonate, CaCO3 in limestone to form a salt and carbon dioxide, CO2.
A piece of limestone reacted completely with 100 cm3 of 31.5 g dm-3 nitric acid, HNO3.
[Ar = H, 1; C, 12; N, 14; O, 16; Ca, 40. Molar volume: 24 dm3 mol-1 at room conditions]
a. Calculate the mass of salt produced.
b. What is the volume of carbon dioxide, CO2 liberated at room conditions?

Prepared by;
Kamal Ariffin Bin Saaim
SMKDBL

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