How can you write a report for CATIONS?
‫ﺷﻜﺮﺧﺎﺹ ﻟﻸﺳﺘﺎﺫﺓ ﻣﻴﻤﻮﻧﺔ ﺍﻟﺮﻳﺎﻧﻲ‬
1. Detection for ammonium
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3
(solid)+ drops of water
Salt solution + Nessler's
reagent
Salt solution +
Na3[Co(NO2)6]
Salt solution + NaOH
2. Detection for cations in Group I
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + KI
Salt solution + K2CrO4
Radical name: Ammonium
Chemical symbol of Radical: NH4+
Observation Result
Colourless gas is evolved, The gas is NH3
recognized by its odour. the cation is NH4+
Brown ppt. is formed and with very The ppt. is iodide of Millonˊs
dil. solution brown or yellow colour base.
is appeared the cation is NH4+
Yellow ppt. is formed The ppt. is (NH4)3[Co(NO2)6]
Colourless gas is evolved,
recognized by its odour, by formed
The gas is NH3
dense white fumes with conc. HCl,
The white fumes is NH4Cl
and by turning red litmus paper
blue.
Radical name: Silver
Chemical symbol of Radical: Ag+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
White ppt. is formed, which The ppt. is AgCl
dissolves in NH4OH and turns the cation is Ag+
violet when exposed to light
Brown-black ppt. is formed The ppt. is Ag2O
Yellow ppt. is formed The ppt. is AgI
Brick-red ppt. is formed The ppt. is Ag2CrO4

Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 +
drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + KI
Salt solution + K2CrO4
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + KI
Salt solution + K2CrO4
Radical name: Lead
Chemical symbol of Radical: Pb2+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
White ppt. is formed, insoluble in The ppt. is PbCl2
NH4OH but soluble in hot water the cation is Pb2+
and reprecipitates on cooling
White ppt. is formed, soluble in The ppt. is Pb(OH)2
excess of NaOH
Yellow ppt. is formed, soluble in The ppt. is PbI2
excess of KI
Yellow ppt. is formed The ppt. is PbCrO4
Radical name: Mercurous
Chemical symbol of Radical: Hg22+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
White ppt. is formed, turns to black The ppt. is Hg2Cl2
when NH4OH is added the cation is Hg22+
Black ppt. is formed The ppt. is Hg2O
Yellowish-green ppt. is formed, The ppt. is Hg2I2
soluble in excess of KI and the
solution turns grey
Brown ppt. is formed, converted to The ppt. is Hg2CrO4
red crystalline form on boiling

Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + Na3PO4
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + Na3PO4
Detection for cations in Group III
Radical name: Aluminum
Chemical symbol of Radical: Al3+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
White gelatinous ppt. is formed
White gelatinous ppt. is formed,
soluble in excess of NaOH
White gelatinous ppt. is formed
Radical name: Chromium
Chemical symbol of Radical: Cr3+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
Grayish-green gelatinous ppt. is
formed
Grayish-green gelatinous ppt. is
formed, soluble in excess of NaOH
Greenish ppt. is formed
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group
I
The cation is not from Group
II
The ppt. is Al(OH)3
the cation is Al3+
The ppt. is Al(OH)3
The ppt. is AlPO4
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group I
The cation is not from Group II
The ppt. is Cr(OH)3
the cation is Cr3+
The ppt. is Cr(OH)3
The ppt. is CrPO4

Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + K4Fe(CN)6
Salt solution + K3Fe(CN)6
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + K4Fe(CN)6
Salt solution + K3Fe(CN)6
Radical name: Ferrous
Chemical symbol of Radical: Fe2+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
Dirty green ppt. is formed, turns to
brown ppt. when left in air
Dirty green ppt. is formed, turns to
brown ppt. when left in air
Pale blue ppt. is formed
Dark blue ppt. is formed
Radical name: Ferric
Chemical symbol of Radical: Fe3+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
Reddish-brown gelatinous ppt. is
formed
Reddish-brown ppt. is formed
Dark blue ppt. is formed, soluble in
excess of K4Fe(CN)6
Brown colour is appeared
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group I
The cation is not from Group II
The green ppt. is Fe(OH)2
The brown ppt. is Fe(OH)3
the cation is Fe2+
The green ppt. is Fe(OH)2
The brown ppt. is Fe(OH)3
The ppt. is K2Fe[Fe(CN)6]
The ppt. is KFe[Fe(CN)6]
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group I
The cation is not from Group II
The ppt. is Fe(OH)3
the cation is Fe3+
The ppt. is Fe(OH)3
The ppt. is Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3
The colour is Fe[Fe(CN)6]
Detection for cations in Group IV
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + NH4OH
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + NH4OH
Radical name: Zinc
Chemical symbol of Radical: Zn2+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
-ve
White ppt. is formed
White gelatinous ppt. is formed,
soluble in excess of NaOH
White ppt. is formed, soluble in
excess of NH4OH
Radical name: Manganese
Chemical symbol of Radical: Mn2+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
-ve
Buff ppt. is formed
White gelatinous ppt. is formed,
becomes brown in air
White gelatinous ppt. is formed,
becomes brown in air
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group I
The cation is not from Group II
The cation is not from Group III
The ppt. is ZnS
the cation is Zn2+
The ppt. is Zn(OH)2
The ppt. is Zn(OH)2
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group I
The cation is not from Group II
The cation is not from Group III
The ppt. is MnS
the cation is Mn2+
The white ppt. is Mn(OH)2
The brown ppt. is Mn(OH)3
The white ppt. is Mn(OH)2
The brown ppt. is Mn(OH)3

Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution +
Dimethylglyoxime
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + NH4OH
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution +
Dimethylglyoxime
Radical name: Cobalt
Chemical symbol of Radical: Co2+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
-ve The cation is not from Group I
-ve The cation is not from Group II
-ve The cation is not from Group III
Black ppt. is formed The ppt. may be CoS or NiS
the cation may be Co2+ or Ni2+
-ve the cation is Co2+
Blue ppt. is formed, turns to pink The ppt. is Co(OH)NO3
with heating in excess of NaOH
Blue ppt. is formed, soluble in The ppt. is Co(OH)NO3
excess of NH4OH
Radical name: Nickel
Chemical symbol of Radical: Ni2+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
-ve The cation is not from Group I
-ve The cation is not from Group II
-ve The cation is not from Group III
Black ppt. is formed The ppt. may be CoS or NiS
the cation may be Co2+ or Ni2+
Red ppt. is formed The ppt. is nickel
dimethylglyoxime
the cation is Ni2+
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + NH4OH
3. Detection for cations in Group V
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + CaSO4
Salt solution + K2CrO4
Flame test
Greenish ppt. is formed
Greenish ppt. is formed, soluble in
excess of NH4OH
Radical name: Calcium
Chemical symbol of Radical: Ca2+
Observation
-ve
-ve
-ve
-ve
-ve
White ppt. is formed
No ppt. is formed
From dil. solution: No ppt. is
formed
From conc. solution: yellow ppt. is
formed, soluble in acetic acid
Brick red colour is appeared
The ppt. is Ni(OH)2
The ppt. is Ni(OH)2
Result
The cation is not NH4+
The cation is not from Group I
The cation is not from Group II
The cation is not from Group III
The cation is not from Group IV
The ppt. may be CaCo3, SrCo3
or BaCO3
the cation may be Ca2+, Sr2+ or
Ba2+
the cation is Ca2+
The ppt. is CaCrO4
the cation is Ca2+

Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + CaSO4
Salt solution + K2CrO4
Flame test
Radical name: Strontium
Chemical symbol of Radical: Sr2+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
-ve The cation is not from Group I
-ve The cation is not from Group II
-ve The cation is not from Group III
-ve The cation is not from Group IV
White ppt. is formed The ppt. may be CaCo3, SrCo3
or BaCO3
the cation may be Ca2+, Sr2+ or
Ba2+
White ppt. is formed on heating or The ppt. is SrSO4
after some time the cation is Sr2+
Yellow ppt. is formed, soluble in The ppt. is SrCrO4
acetic acid
Crimson red colour is appeared the cation is Sr2+

Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + CaSO4
Salt solution + K2CrO4
Flame test
Radical name: Barium
Chemical symbol of Radical: Ba2+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
-ve The cation is not from Group I
-ve The cation is not from Group II
-ve The cation is not from Group III
-ve The cation is not from Group IV
White ppt. is formed The ppt. may be CaCo3, SrCo3
or BaCO3
the cation may be Ca2+, Sr2+ or
Ba2+
White ppt. is formed The ppt. is BaSO4
the cation is Ba2+
Yellow ppt. is formed, insoluble in The ppt. is BaCrO4
acetic acid
Pale apple green colour is appeared the cation is Ba2+
Detection for Magnesium
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + Na3PO4 +
NH4Cl + NH4OH
Radical name: Magnesium
Chemical symbol of Radical: Mg2+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
-ve The cation is not from Group I
-ve The cation is not from Group II
-ve The cation is not from Group III
-ve The cation is not from Group IV
-ve The cation is not from Group V
White ppt. is formed The ppt. is Mg(OH)2
the cation is Mg2+
White ppt. is formed The ppt. is MgCO3
White ppt. is formed The ppt. is Mg(NH4)PO4
Detection for Potassium & Sodium
Experiment
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid)
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl
Salt solution + dil. HCl +
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl +
NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + NaOH
Salt solution +
Na3[Co(NO2)6]
Salt solution + Tartaric
acid solution
Flame test
Radical name: Potassium
Chemical symbol of Radical: K+
Observation Result
-ve The cation is not NH4+
-ve The cation is not from Group I
-ve The cation is not from Group II
-ve The cation is not from Group III
-ve The cation is not from Group IV
-ve The cation is not from Group V
-ve The cation is not Mg2+
Yellow ppt. is formed The ppt. is K3[Co(NO2)6]
the cation is K+
White ppt. is formed from conc. The ppt. is potassium hydrogen
solution tartarate
Violet colour is appeared the cation is K+
 Radical name: Sodium
Chemical symbol of Radical: Na+
Experiment Observation Result
Solid salt + Na2CO3 (solid) -ve The cation is not NH4+
+ drops of water
Salt solution + dil. HCl -ve The cation is not from Group I

Salt solution + dil. HCl + -ve The cation is not from Group II
H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl + -ve The cation is not from Group III
NH4OH
Salt solution + NH4Cl + -ve The cation is not from Group IV
NH4OH + H2S
Salt solution + NH4Cl + -ve The cation is not from Group V
NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Salt solution + NaOH -ve The cation is not Mg2+
Salt solution + -ve The cation is Na+
Na3[Co(NO2)6]
Flame test Golden yellow colour is appeared the cation is Na+

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