SCES3023: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

PRACTICAL 1

Title : To determine the cation and anion of a compound.

Material :
BX1, distilled water, matches, 2 M sodium hydroxide solution, 0.2 M concentrated
hydrochloric acid, phenolphthalein, 1 M zinc sulphate solution, iron (II) sulphate solution,
0.5 M barium nitrate solution, 0.1 M silver nitrate solution, 2 M dilute nitric acid.

Apparatus :
Bunsen burner, glass rod, test tubes, test-tube rack, stopper and delivery tube, spatula.

Procedures :

a) BX1 is a type of salt.

b) The tests are carried out as shown in Table 1 on BX1.
c) All observations and inferences are recorded in the columns as shown in Table 1.
d) One cation and one anion that is present are identified in BX1 and conclusions
are made about the salt, BX1.
Results :
Table 1: Observations and inferences made based on the tests on BX1
To identify the cation

Bil. Tests Observations Inferences

1 A small amount of BX1 with a few A pungent smell is Ammonia gas,

cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution is emitted. 3 evolves when
heated in a test tube. The gas heated.
produced is tested through the
following experiments, (a) to (d) .

a) One end of the glass rod is wet White fumes are

with concentrated hydrochloric formed.
acid and the glass rod is
brought near to the mouth of the
test tube.

b) Using a delivery tube, the gas is The colour of

passed into a test tube phenolphthalein
containing 10 cm3 distilled water turns from
and 10 drops of colourless to pink.
phenolphthalein.

c) Using a delivery tube, the gas is

passed into zinc sulphate
solution.
 d) Using a delivery tube, the gas is
passed into iron (II) sulphate
solution.

To identify the anions

Bil. Tests Observations Inferences

2 A small amount of BX1 is dissolved

in distilled water. The solution is
divided into two parts.

a) The barium nitrate solution is

added, followed by dilute nitric
acid to the first part.

b) The silver nitrate solution is A white precipitate ion is present.

added, followed by dilute nitric is produced.
acid to the second part.

The BX1 salt is ammonium chloride, 4 .

Discussions :
Discussion Questions:

1. Write balanced ionic equations for the reactions in the following tests. (Use the
actual symbol of cations and anions involved).

(a) Test 1(d) [write all the ionic equations involved]

4 + 4 (4 )2 4 + 2

(b) Test 2 (b)

4 + 3 4 3 +

2. Explain why BX1 needs to be heated with sodium hydroxide solution.

BX1 is a salt in solid state and cannot show its physical properties. There are no
freely moving electron. When it reacts with sodium hydroxide solution, it releases
ammonium ion, 4 + and ammonia gas.
3. Explain why dilute nitric acid is added after adding barium nitrate solution in test
2(a).

4. What is the purpose of using silver nitrate solution and dilute nitric acid in test 2(b)?

Predict what will happen if a solution of BX1 is added to lead(II) nitrate. Explain the
reaction that occurs and include chemical equations.
24 + (3 )2 4 3
Conclusion :
References :
Appendices :