Exercise 16

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF GROUP E

I. Objectives
1. I must learn to apply the principles of solubility equilibrium in the separation of K+, Na+ and
NH4+ ions form other ions.
2. I must learn to demonstrate the use of flame color in the identification of the soluble group
of cations.

II. Modifications in the Procedure:

(!) PRECAUTIONS:

WARNING: THE EXPERIMENT WILL USE CONC’D HCl, 6M NaOH

WASTE MANAGEMENT: HCl - containing waste ⟶ flush down the drain with ample amount of water
NaOH - containing waste ⟶ flush down the drain with ample amount of c
water

III. Results:

Ions present in solution: ___________________________

___________________________
___________________________

Sample Reactant/Action Observations Conclusions

CC1  Flame test (without

Blue filter)
- Dip into conc’d
HCl
- Heat wire in flame
- Evaporate to 2
drops
- Add conc’d HCl
- Dip wire loop to
solution, insert into
oxidizing zone of
gas flame
  Flame test (with
Blue filter)
- Dip wire loop to
solution to be
tested
- Insert into
oxidizing zone of
gas flame

 Test for NH4+

- 10 drops of
original solution
- 6M NaOH, 2 more
drops
- Cover with
watchglass
- Warm the solution
but do not boil
IV. Answers to Questions
1. Can you determine the presence of K+ ion in a solution containing Na+ by the flame tests? If so,
how?

2. Why do we analyze for K+ and Na+ from CC1 and not from the original solution while NH4+ is
analyzed from the original solution and not from CC1?