TESTS FOR IONS

Cations Positive Ions

Lithium Li+ Sodium Na+ Potassium K+ Barium Ba2+ Calcium Ca2+ Red Orange Lilac Apple green Orange with brick red flashes

Cu2+

When dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) a blue precipitate is formed

Fe2+

When dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) a yellow/green gelatinous precipitate is formed

Fe3+

When dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) a red/brown gelatinous precipitate is formed

Al3+

When dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) a white precipitate is formed which hangs in suspension

Mg2+

When dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) a white precipitate is formed

NH4

When dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) and warmed, an unpleasent smelling gas is produced which turns red litmus paper blue

Anions Negative Ions

ClBrIWhen reacted with silver nitrate and a little nitric acid a white precipitate forms. The precipitate is soluble in both dilute and concentrated ammonia When reacted with silver nitrate and a little nitric acid a cream yellow precipitate forms. The precipitate is soluble in only concentrated ammonia When reacted with silver nitrate and a little nitric acid a yellow precipitate forms. The precipitate is insoluble in both dilute and concentrated ammonia

CO32-

When heated the solid composes releasing a gas, CO2 which turns limewater cloudy. When reacted with HCl a gas, CO2 is also produced. When reacted with barium chloride a white precipitate forms. When reacted with barium nitrate a white precipitate forms. When warmed with NaOH and Aluminium powder, a gas is given off, ammonia. This gas turns red litmus paper blue.

SO42NO3
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