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Analysing Substances

The flame test is used to find out what metal ion (cation) is present in a compound.

Analysing Substances

Learn how GCSE Chemistry identifies unknown substances using practical methods. Explore chromatography, flame tests and chemical tests, then check your understanding with this quiz.

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Fascinating Fact:

In paper chromatography, the solvent is the liquid that moves up the paper. The baseline is drawn in pencil so it does not dissolve and run.

In GCSE Chemistry, analysing substances means using tests and observations to identify what a sample contains. You practise separating mixtures, spotting ions with chemical tests, and using colours to recognise metals and gases.

Key Terms

  • Chromatography: A method that separates mixtures by letting substances travel at different speeds through a material.
  • Flame test: A test where a metal ion makes a flame turn a particular colour.
  • Precipitate: A solid that forms when two solutions react and an insoluble substance is made.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is chromatography in GCSE Chemistry?

In GCSE Chemistry, chromatography is a separation technique used to split a mixture into its components. Each substance moves a different distance depending on how soluble it is and how strongly it sticks to the paper.

How do flame tests identify metal ions?

Flame tests identify metal ions because different ions give different flame colours when heated. For example, sodium gives a yellow flame and potassium gives a lilac flame.

How can you test for gases in GCSE Chemistry?

Common gas tests include a lighted splint popping for hydrogen, glowing splint relighting for oxygen, and limewater turning cloudy for carbon dioxide.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
A chromatogram is produced in a process called chromatography. There are several types of chromatography. Which of the following is NOT a type of chromatography?
Gas - liquid
Gel permeation
Ion-exchange
UV-Visible
UV-visible is a type of spectroscopy. Chromatography involves the movement of a solvent which separates the chemicals from one-another in a mixture
2 .
Which element produces a green flame when burned in a flame test?
Lithium
Sodium
Potassium
Barium
The flame test wire must be very clean
3 .
The meniscus is the curve in the upper surface of a liquid caused by surface tension. When measuring the amount of liquid held in a burette, which part of the meniscus do you measure from?
The bottom
The edge
The average height
The top
The meniscus is read at the bottom of the curve. Always read the volume with your eye at the meniscus level to avoid parallax error
4 .
A reddish brown precipitate results from the reaction between an unknown substance and sodium hydroxide. Which ion is present in the unknown substance?
Copper 2+
Iron 2+
Aluminium 3+
Iron 3+
Obtaining a white precipitate could indicate several different metals, however, coloured precipitates are more useful as they identify specific metals
5 .
What metal should the wire loop be made of that is holding your unknown compound during a flame test?
Copper
Silver
Gold
Platinum
This is an inert metal and can be heated to a high temperature before it melts. Most school laboratories, however, use nichrome wire as it is cheaper
6 .
Which of the following compounds would burn yellow in the flame test?
Sodium chloride
Calcium chloride
Potassium chloride
Barium chloride
Sodium gives a distinctive yellow colour. This is where street lights get their colour from
7 .
Three unknown solutions are added to test tubes of dilute nitric acid and silver nitrate. Each shows a positive result for the test. What ions are present in each tube in order if the colours produced are white, cream and pale yellow?
Iodide, bromide, chloride
Chloride, iodide, bromide
Chloride, bromide, iodide
Iodide, chloride, bromide
The precipitates are silver chloride, silver bromide and silver iodide
8 .
A titration is used to accurately measure volumes of liquids required to carry out chemical reactions such as neutralisation reactions. Name the long glass tube which is required to carry out a titration.
Pipette
Burette
Clamp stand
Conical flask
It can be used to measure the volume of any liquid with great accuracy
9 .
Which of the following can iodine NOT be used for testing for?
Presence of carbon dioxide
Unsaturation of oils
Presence of starch
Unsaturation of hydrocarbons
Limewater is used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide
10 .
A white precipitate results from the reaction between an unknown substance and sodium hydroxide. Which ion CANNOT be present in the unknown substance?
Calcium 2+
Magnesium 2+
Aluminium 3+
Copper 2+
Copper 2+ ions produce a light blue precipitate, the other three produce white precipitates
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Analysing substances

Author:  Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)
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