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To test for sulfate ions, we add hydrochloric acid and barium chloride solution.

Analysing Substances - Qualitative

Use simple tests to spot ions and gases in unknown chemicals. This GCSE Chemistry quiz covers flame tests, precipitation reactions and gas tests, helping you interpret results safely.

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Fascinating Fact:

A flame test can help identify some metal ions by the colour they produce. A clean wire loop and avoiding contamination are important for reliable results.

In GCSE Chemistry, qualitative analysis is about identifying what is in a substance by using observations. You learn to spot ions using colour changes and precipitates, and to confirm gases with simple lab tests.

Key Terms

Qualitative analysis: Finding out what substances are present, without measuring how much there is.
Cation: A positively charged ion, often a metal ion, that can be identified using tests such as flame colours or precipitates.
Anion: A negatively charged ion, such as chloride, sulfate or carbonate, identified using chemical reagents.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is qualitative analysis in GCSE Chemistry?

Qualitative analysis in GCSE Chemistry means identifying which ions, elements, or gases are present in a sample by using test results such as colours, precipitates, or gas reactions.

How do you test for metal ions in GCSE Chemistry?

Metal ions can be tested using flame tests for characteristic colours and precipitation tests with sodium hydroxide or ammonia, where different metal ions form different coloured solids.

How do you test for chloride, sulfate and carbonate ions?

Chloride ions are tested using silver nitrate after acidifying, sulfate ions with barium chloride after acidifying, and carbonate ions by adding acid to produce carbon dioxide.

Try These Related Quizzes

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

Street lights are yellow/orange due to the sodium they contain

2 .

What is used to identify an unsaturated compound?

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

3 .

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

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

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

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

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 .

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

Transition metal ions often form coloured compounds, copper is no exception

7 .

The copper oxide that is produced when copper carbonate is heated is what colour?

White

Green

Black

Purple

The copper is reduced to copper (I) and the carbonate decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide into the air

8 .

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

Red litmus turning blue shows that an alkali has been formed

9 .

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

Ethane is saturated and does not have a double bond that can react with the iodine

10 .

Which of the following ions dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide solution?

Magnesium 2+

Aluminium 2+

Calcium 2+

Aluminium 3+

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

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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