Laboratory Activity #1 Flame Test

Introduction:

As we know that when an atom or ion is excited by heating to high temperatures, the
electrons are promoted from their normal unexcited state into other orbitals, known as higher
orbitals, as they have higher energy as compared to the normal or ground state orbitals.
When these excited electron falls back down to lower levels which can happen
simultaneously or in several steps, the energy they have absorbed is released. This energy is
released in the form of light.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3nn4zqzf6M

Materials and tools:

 Element salt samples (K, Cu, Sr, Na, Ba, Ca, Li,) and 2 unknown samples
 Beakers
 Bunsen burner
 Lighter
 Cottom swab

Procedure
1. A cotton swab of each element salts and the unknown samples was placed over the
Bunsen burner and color of the flame was noted.
2. The used swab was then properly disposed. The laboratory station where the activity
was conducted was cleaned properly.

Results

Element Used Flame Color

Potassium (K) Light Pink/Pink
Copper (Cu) Green
Strontium (Sr) Orange-Red
Sodium (Na) Bright Orange
Barium (Ba) Pale Orange
Calcium (Ca) Yellow-Orange
Lithium (Li) Pink/Deep Pink
Unknown 1 Yellow/Orange
Unknown 2 Pale Orange
Laboratory Activity #2 Qualitative Cation Analysis

Introduction:

Cations – positively charged ions. lol

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiwBPiWbR9c

Experimental Aims:

 Observe the chemical properties of eight cations: Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and
NH₄+ when reagents (NaOH and NH3) are added.

Materials and Tools

 Cation samples: Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and NH₄+
 Test tubes (and Test tube rack)
 Pipette/Dropper
 Test tube clamp
 Litmus Paper (Red and Blue)
 Bunsen Burner

Method (Qualitative Cation Analysis):

1. Cation samples are readily prepared in test tubes

a. Two (2) test tubes were used for each cation - one (1) test tube was labeled “NaOH” and
the other was labeled “NH₃” indicating the reagent to be introduced to the cations.
2. Using two (2) separate droppers, NaOH was added to each test tube containing the cation
labeled “NaOH” and the same goes for adding ammonia (NH₃) in test tubes label “NH₃”.
3. The reactions were then observed: The color of the chemical system and the precipitate
formation was recorded.
4. (Based on the video) The colorless solution was tested if it contains ammonium ions by heating
the solution contained in a test tube over flame coming from the Bunsen burner.
5. The ammonium ion was confirmed by placing a red litmus paper over the mouth of the test tube
during heating.
6. A test tube clamp was also used to hold the test tube. The colors of solutions after standing
were then again observed
Results

*Initial = on adding few drops of reagent

*final = on adding excess reagent

Results/Observations
NaOH (aq) NH3
Cation
Initial Final Initial Final
Precipitate Precipitate
White
Zn2+ dissolves/Colorless White precipitate dissolves/colorless
precipitate
solution solution
Precipitate Precipitate
White
Al3+ dissolves/Colorless White precipitate retains/ or is
precipitate
solution insoluble
Precipitate Precipitate
White
Pb2+ dissolves/Colorless White precipitate retains/ or is
precipitate
solution insoluble
Precipitate No
White
Ca2+ retains/ or is precipitate/Colorles No precipitate
precipitate
insoluble s
Precipitate Precipitate
Green
Fe2+ retains/ or is Green precipitate retains/ or is
precipitate
insoluble insoluble
Precipitate Precipitate
Red-Brown/Red Orange/Red-Brown
Fe3+ retains/ or is retains/ or is
Precipitate Precipitate
insoluble insoluble
Precipitate
Precipitate
Light Blue Light Blue dissolves giving
Cu2+ retains/ or is
Precipitate Precipitate deep blue
insoluble
appearance
No precipitate,
NH₄+ turns moist red No change No precipitate No precipitate
LP to blue**

*LP = litmus paper

**the ammonia gas upon heating turns red LP to blue

Observations
 NO PRECIPITATION FORMED FOR NH₄+ WHEN NaOH is added Ammonium salts will
react with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form a soluble salt, water and ammonia gas.
 PRECIPITATION FORMED FOR Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+ WHEN NaOH is added
When sodium hydroxide is added to other metal cations, an insoluble hydroxide is
formed.
  NO PRECIPITATION FORMED FOR Ca2+ WHEN NH3 is added No precipitate is formed as
there is little amount of hydroxide ions present to form precipitate with calcium
hydroxide, which is partially soluble.
 PRECIPITATION FORMED FOR Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+ WHEN NH3 is added When
aqueous ammonia is added to other metal cations, an insoluble hydroxide is formed.

Laboratory Activity #3 Qualitative Cation Analysis

Introduction

Qualitative analysis of anions is primarily concerned with the detection of ions in an

aqueous solution, substances in other states must first be transformed into an aqueous solution
before proceeding with the experiment. Cation Analysis and Anion Analysis are techniques for
detecting ions (cations and anions) in aqueous solutions.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXCTABFPabM gUrL wITh tHe lOnG hAIr

Experimental Aims:

Observe the chemical properties of eight anions: Cl- (Chloride), Br- (Bromide), I- (Iodide), S-2
(Sulfide), SO4-2 (Sulfate), CO3-2 (Carbonate), C2H3O2- (Acetate), and OH- (Hydroxide) when
different respective reagents are added.

Materials and Tools

 Test tubes (and Test tube rack)

 Reagents (AgNO3, HCl, BaCl2, Conc. H2SO4, ethanol)
 Samples: Cl- (Chloride), Br- (Bromide), I- (Iodide), S-2 (Sulfide), SO4-2 (Sulfate), CO3-2
(Carbonate), C2H3O2- (Acetate), and OH- (Hydroxide)
 Hot plate
 Beaker
 Litmus Paper

Method

1. Different anion chemicals were prepared in the first set including 3 halide ions (Cl-,Br-,
I-), and Sulfide ion (S-). In the second set, anions such as sulfate (SO4 2-), Carbonate
(CO3 2-), Acetate (C2H3O2-) and Hydroxide ion (OH-).
2. These chemicals were prepared in 8 test tubes (4 test tubes each in a set) held upright
by a test tube rack.
3. In addition to the first set chemicals, the aqueous solution used are Silver nitrate
solution (AgNO3) and Hydrochloric acid (HCl) while in the second set include the Barium
 Chloride (BrCl2), HCl and lime water, and conc. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and red litmus
paper was used to test OH- solution if it is acidic or basic.
4. Further procedures were carried out, in first set, 3 halide ions (Cl-,Br-, I-) were treated
with Silver nitrate solution (AgNO3), and the Sulfide ion (S-) was treated with Silver
nitrate solution (AgNO3) and Hydrochloric acid.
5. In the second set, a test tube containing Sulfate ( SO4 2-) was added with Barium
Chloride (BrCl2). To Carbonate (CO3 2-), HCl and lime water was added. Furthermore,
conc. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) was treated to Acetate (C2H3O2-), then this resulting
solution was placed into a hot water bath using a hot plate and a beaker.
6. The Hydroxide ion (OH-) was dropped with a red litmus paper. Results were then
examined and remarked upon.
7. In the concluding part of the experiment, after standing (hot water bath for acetate
solution), the different formation of precipitates, produced colors and fragrance of
various anions as well as selected anions with no reactions were again illustrated and
observed.

Results

*Initial = When reagent was first added

**Final = When more reagent or other methods are applied

Qualitative Analysis of Anions

Anion Reagent/Method Initial* Final Observation**
-
Cl (Chloride) AgNO3 White precipitate Creamy white precipitate
Creamy white precipitate
Creamy white
Br- (Bromide) AgNO3 formed at the bottom of
precipitate
the test tube
Faint creamy light yellow
I- (Iodide) AgNO3 No precipitate Color appears then
immediately disappears
After adding HCl and
AgNO3 and HCl vigorous mixing, the black
-2
S (Sulfide) (added later after Black precipitate precipitate became less
AgNO3) and eventually
disappeared.
SO4-2 (Sulfate) BaCl2 White precipitate White precipitate
Forms a lime water
CO3-2 (Carbonate) HCl Bubbles form
appearance
Conc. H2SO4 +
C2H3O2- (Acetate) No precipitation Fruity smell after heating
ethanol
Red litmus paper Blue litmus paper turned
OH- (Hydroxide) Litmus paper test
turned blue red
Observations
 Results show that anions Chloride, Bromide, Iodide, and Sulfide initially produced white
precipitations.
 After adding more reagents, most retained their initial observations but more enhanced.
 Only the sulfide ion formed a black colored precipitate when the reagent was first
added.
o The black colored precipitate slowly faded after adding HCl and vigorous mixing
was done.
 Sulfate formed white precipitations throughout.
 Bubbles formed when HCl was added to Carbonate ions and then formed a lime water
appearance when more HCl was added.
 Acetate showed no precipitation after adding concentrated sulfuric acid and ethanol but
produced a fruity smell after heated over hot plat.
 Hydroxide ions were tested using litmus paper test: red litmus paper turns blue and
vice-versa.