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Chemistry Quiz - Analysing Substances - Qualitative (Questions)

In GCSE Chemistry students will look at the various methods and techniques used when analysing substances. In this, the second of three quizzes on the topic, we look at qualitative analysis. This helps us to identify what is present, but does not tell us how much of it there is.

Analysing is the identification of substances by investigating their physical and chemical properties. It is always important to be able to identify unknown substances, particularly in the the food industry and the field of medicine. Many metals are poisonous in large enough amounts and analysis can identify them should they accidentally find their way into the food chain. In cases of actual poisoning, medical staff need to be able to reliably analyse body tissue and blood to find out what is there. Only then can they decide on the correct treatment.

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There are two aspects to analysing substances - qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative analysis is the topic of this quiz and is only concerned with what is there. It does not even begin to answer the question of 'how much is there?'. A lot of qualitative analysis is simple and quick to carry out, for example the tests for sulfates and the test for chlorides can both be carried out in a few seconds. Some tests take a little longer, for example the flame test, as the equipment used needs careful preparation to ensure that it is very clean before starting.

Analysing substances such as organic chemicals is a lot more complicated because the chemicals of life are usually complex and can contain many different elements. They are also usually covalently bonded which makes it much more difficult too - substances that are ionically bonded are a lot easier to analyse. Your analysis of organic chemicals at GCSE will probably be limited to the biuret test for proteins and the bromine (or iodine) test for saturated compounds. If you study chemistry at higher levels, you will undoubtedly have to learn some of the more complex tests for the qualitative analysis of organic substances.

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1. Flame tests can be used to identify metals in groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table. Which metal burns with an intense yellow/orange flame?
[ ] Lithium
[ ] Sodium
[ ] Potassium
[ ] Calcium
2. Some metal ions form coloured precipitates with sodium hydroxide. Which metal ion forms a light blue precipitate when reacted with sodium hydroxide?
[ ] Copper (II) ions
[ ] Iron (II) ions
[ ] Iron (III) ions
[ ] Cobalt ions
3. Which of the following ions dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide solution?
[ ] Magnesium 2+
[ ] Aluminium 2+
[ ] Calcium 2+
[ ] Aluminium 3+
4. If dilute nitric acid and silver nitrate are added to an unknown solution and a cream precipitate appears, we can tell that the ions that are present are...
[ ] chloride ions
[ ] bromide ions
[ ] iodide ions
[ ] chlorine ions
5. How do we test for sulfate ions?
[ ] Add dilute nitric acid
[ ] Heat and look for colour changes
[ ] Add hydrochloric acid and barium chloride solution
[ ] Add sodium hydroxide and warm it, then add aluminium powder
6. A positive test for nitrate ions would give which of the following observations?
[ ] A lemon-yellow colour when hot and turns to white when cool
[ ] A pale yellow precipitate
[ ] A dirty green precipitate
[ ] Damp red litmus paper turning blue
7. What is used to identify an unsaturated compound?
[ ] Bromine water
[ ] Dilute nitric acid
[ ] Barium sulfate
[ ] Aluminium powder
8. If ammonia gas is produced when sodium hydroxide is added to an unknown solution, what ions were present in the unknown solution?
[ ] Ammonium + ions
[ ] Ammonium - ions
[ ] Copper 2+ ions
[ ] Iron 3+ ions
9. The copper oxide that is produced when copper carbonate is heated is what colour?
[ ] White
[ ] Green
[ ] Black
[ ] Purple
10. If iodine solution is added to ethane, what observation would be made?
[ ] Remains brown
[ ] Changes from brown to black
[ ] Changes from brown to purple
[ ] Changes from brown to brick red

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Analysing substances

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Chemistry Quiz - Analysing Substances - Qualitative (Answers)
1. Flame tests can be used to identify metals in groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table. Which metal burns with an intense yellow/orange flame?
[ ] Lithium
[x] Sodium
[ ] Potassium
[ ] Calcium
Street lights are yellow/orange due to the sodium they contain
2. Some metal ions form coloured precipitates with sodium hydroxide. Which metal ion forms a light blue precipitate when reacted with sodium hydroxide?
[x] Copper (II) ions
[ ] Iron (II) ions
[ ] Iron (III) ions
[ ] Cobalt ions
Transition metal ions often form coloured compounds, copper is no exception
3. Which of the following ions dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide solution?
[ ] Magnesium 2+
[ ] Aluminium 2+
[ ] Calcium 2+
[x] Aluminium 3+

 Both magnesium and calcium ions are insoluble in excess sodium hydroxide solution

4. If dilute nitric acid and silver nitrate are added to an unknown solution and a cream precipitate appears, we can tell that the ions that are present are...
[ ] chloride ions
[x] bromide ions
[ ] iodide ions
[ ] chlorine ions
You need to know the results of this test off by heart for the exams
5. How do we test for sulfate ions?
[ ] Add dilute nitric acid
[ ] Heat and look for colour changes
[x] Add hydrochloric acid and barium chloride solution
[ ] Add sodium hydroxide and warm it, then add aluminium powder
When sulfate ions combine with barium ions, they form barium sulfate which is insoluble and therefore appears as a precipitate
6. A positive test for nitrate ions would give which of the following observations?
[ ] A lemon-yellow colour when hot and turns to white when cool
[ ] A pale yellow precipitate
[ ] A dirty green precipitate
[x] Damp red litmus paper turning blue
Red litmus turning blue shows that an alkali has been formed
7. What is used to identify an unsaturated compound?
[x] Bromine water
[ ] Dilute nitric acid
[ ] Barium sulfate
[ ] Aluminium powder
This is used to test for unsaturated hydrocarbons and oils. Iodine can be used instead of bromine
8. If ammonia gas is produced when sodium hydroxide is added to an unknown solution, what ions were present in the unknown solution?
[x] Ammonium + ions
[ ] Ammonium - ions
[ ] Copper 2+ ions
[ ] Iron 3+ ions
The ammonium ions have the formula NH4+. They donate a proton to the hydroxide forming water and NH3 which is a gas at room temperature
9. The copper oxide that is produced when copper carbonate is heated is what colour?
[ ] White
[ ] Green
[x] Black
[ ] Purple
The copper is reduced to copper (I) and the carbonate decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide into the air
10. If iodine solution is added to ethane, what observation would be made?
[x] Remains brown
[ ] Changes from brown to black
[ ] Changes from brown to purple
[ ] Changes from brown to brick red
Ethane is saturated and does not have a double bond that can react with the iodine