Cady Bright 

12/14/17 

Using Indicator, Reference, and Control Solutions to  

Identify Ions Present in Test Samples of Water 
 
Abstract 
This investigation was performed to deepen students’ understanding of ions and ionic bonds, as well 
as test the presence of calcium (II), chloride, iron (III), and sulfate ions in water samples brought in by students. 
The question being addressed was simply if the ions previously listed are present in detectable concentrations. 
To conduct this investigation, students combined an indicator solution with a reference solution that 
contained the ion being tested for, a control solution that did not contain the ion being tested for, and test 
solutions that the students had brought in. By observing what the resulting reaction, namely the colour and 
whether or not a precipitate formed in the combined solution, students then made a prediction regarding 
whether or not the ion being tested for was present in their test samples. In the tests done by Sareth 
Underwood, Evan Roth, and myself, we decided that only the chloride ions were present in the test sample we 
brought in. Using these methods to detect what ions are within different water samples aids in helping 
estimate the purity and quality of water. For example, distilled water should have absolutely no ions within it, 
drinking water should have very low levels, and water that supports ecosystems needs different types of ions 
and molecules depending on the ecosystem. 
 
Results  
Table 1​: Qualitative Results from Investigation Testing for Ions Possibly Present in Three Solutions 
Ion Possibly  Precipitate 
Present  Indicator Solution  Solution  Colour  Formed (y/n)  Ion Present (y/n) 
Ca​2+​ (CaCl​2​)  Na​2​CO​3  CaCl​2​ Solution  cloudy  yes  yes 
2+​
Ca​ (CaCl​2​)  Na​2​CO​3  Control  none  no  no 
Ca​2+​ (CaCl​2​)  Na​2​CO​3  Test Sample  none  no  no 
Cl​-​ (CaCl​2​)  AgNO​3  CaCl​2  white  yes  yes 
-​
Cl​ (CaCl​2​)  AgNO​3  Control  none  no  no 
Cl​-​ (CaCl​2​)  AgNO​3  Test Sample  slightly cloudy  yes  yes 
Fe​3+​ (Fe(NO​3​)​3​)  KSCN  Fe(NO​3​)​3​ Solution  dark red  no  yes 
3+​
Fe​ (Fe(NO​3​)​3  KSCN  Control  none  no  no 
Fe​3+​ (Fe(NO​3​)​3  KSCN  Test Sample  none  no  no 
SO​4​2-​ (FeSO​4​)  BaCl​2  FeSO​4​ Solution  White  Yes  yes 
SO​4​2-​ (FeSO​4​)  BaCl​2  Control  Clear  no  no 
SO​4​2-​ (FeSO​4​)  BaCl​2  Test Sample  Clear  no  no 
 
Table 1 above shows data collected in the investigation. To find which of the four ions being tested for 
- calcium, chloride, iron (III), and sulfate - were present in a test solutions, an indicator solution was combined 
with a reference solution where the ions were present, and a control solution where they are not. Upon 
combining, the reference solutions changed colours, and the controls did not. These solutions are found on the 
left side of the bold line separating the table. These observations were then used to make conclusions about 
the presence of the ion in the test sample - if it turned a colour upon being combined with an indicator 
solution, the ion was present.  
As the table shows, the test sample became slightly cloudy when combined with AgNO​3​, the indicator 
solution for the Cl​-​ ions. As none of the other samples reacted with the other indicator solutions, it is likely that 
Cl​-​ was the only ion tested that is present in the test water sample. 
 
Chemistry Content 
Particulate Realm Picture 
Figure 1: P​ articulate Representation Showing Reaction between FeSO​4​ and BaCl​2 

 
In Figure 1 above, barium chloride (BaCl​2​), the indicator solution, is in an aqueous state, meaning all 
atoms in the molecule that are not covalently bonded dissociate in water. This occurs because the ionic bonds 
holding particles of the solute (in this case, BaCl​2​) together are easily broken by the polarity of the solvent 
(water). Iron (II) sulfate (FeSO​4​) is in an aqueous state, and molecules dissociate into iron (II) and sulfate, 
sulfate staying together because the atoms are covalently bonded. This is the reference solution containing 
the sulfate particle being tested for.  
When the two compounds are combined, the ionic bonds between the metal (Fe) and nonmetal (SO​4​) 
in a particle split, and the metal (Fe) becomes ionically bonded to the other particle’s nonmetal (Cl​2​), and the 
nonmetal (SO​4​) becomes ionically bonded to the other particle’s metal (Ba). This forms barium sulfate (BaSO​4​) 
in a solid state, and iron (II) chloride (FeCl​2​) in an aqueous state. A colour change from clear to white occurs on 
the macroscopic level when the reaction occurs, and a precipitate is formed because iron barium sulfate is 
insoluble.  
Balanced Chemical Equations 
2AgNO​3 (aq)​ + CaCl​2 (aq)​ -> 2AgCl​(s)​ + Ca(NO​3​)​2 (aq) 
Two molecules of silver nitrate in an aqueous state combined with one molecule of calcium chloride in an 
aqueous state reacts to form two molecules of silver chloride in a solid state and one molecule of calcium 
nitrate in an aqueous state.  
 
Fe(NO​3​)​3 (aq)​ + 3KSCN​(aq)​ -> Fe(SCN)​3 (s)​ + 3KNO​3 (aq) 
One molecule of iron (III) nitrate in an aqueous state combined with three molecules of potassium thiocyanate 
in an aqueous state reacted to form one molecule of iron (III) thiocyanate in a solid state and three molecules 
of potassium nitrate in an aqueous state.