Qualitative Analysis

(QA)
Identification of unknowns
in Chemistry Practical
5068/3
Important QA techniques
Cleanliness
 Apparatus must be clean.
 Washed with distilled water.
 Should be dried using a bunsen flame if a solid
needs to be introduced & tested.

Labeling
 Label all test tubes / beakers to avoid
confusion.
 Get & use a water-soluble marker.
 Be neat & organised.
Important QA techniques
Quantity of reagents
 Use no more than 1 cm depth of
chemical or just enough to fill the
hemisphere at the bottom of the
test tube.

 Adding other chemicals to the

test solution should be done
slowly and in small amounts.
Shake thoroughly after each
addition.
Test solution
1 cm
 Limewater should be used
2 cm
sparingly when testing for
carbon dioxide – ensure fast & Limewater
accurate results.
Important QA techniques
Testing for gases
 Read ahead and be prepared for the tests.

 Make intelligent guesses as to which test to

carry out e.g. powdered substance with acid
shouldn’t be tested with a lighted splint.
???

 Note colour & smell of gases.

Important QA techniques
Testing for gases
 Conduct appropriate test & identify gas.
 Damp litmus papers
 Glowing/lighted splints
 Passing gas through limewater
 Etc….

 However, do not test for obvious “results”.

 e.g. testing for ammonia gas (NH3) if you have
added aqueous ammonia as a reagent.
Important QA techniques
Recording observations
 Record all observations as you are carrying out
the experiments.

 Any colour changes.

 Any ppt formed, soluble/insoluble in excess?
 Any gases evolved; colour, smell, test, identify.
 Any noise, heat or light observed/produced.
 Any negative results.
Important QA techniques
Recording observations

 Record negative results e.g.

 No precipitate (ppt) is formed
 No gas is evolved
 No visible reaction
Important QA techniques
Recording observations

 Be aware of what is happening and why

certain tests are being carried out.
 E.g. if you are adding sodium hydroxide, what are
you possibly testing for? Metal cations
 E.g. if you are adding sodium hydroxide with
heating, what are you possibly testing for? NH4+
 E.g. if you are adding sodium hydroxide with
aluminium and with heating, what are you
possibly testing for? NO3−
 Use of OH− ions to identify cations
Reaction with NaOH Reaction with NH4OH
Ca2+ White ppt insoluble in excess NaOH No visible reaction

Al3+ White ppt soluble in excess NaOH White ppt insoluble in excess
to form a colourless solution NH4OH

Pb2+ White ppt soluble in excess NaOH White ppt insoluble in excess
to form a colourless solution NH4OH

Zn2+ White ppt soluble in excess NaOH White ppt soluble in excess NH4OH
to form a colourless solution to form a colourless solution
Cu2+ Blue ppt insoluble in excess NaOH Blue ppt soluble in excess NH4OH
to give a deep blue solution
Fe2+ Dirty-green ppt insoluble in excess Dirty-green ppt insoluble in excess
NaOH NH4OH

Fe3+ Reddish-brown ppt insoluble in Reddish-brown ppt insoluble in

excess NaOH excess NH4OH

NH4+ NH3 gas produced on warming No visible reaction

turns damp red litmus to blue.
Pungent smell.
The gas……

(produces a white ppt with limewater)