EXPERIMENT NO-3

AIM: To identify the acid radical and the basic radical present in the given salt sample.

(A) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: -

(i) Colour-White
(iii) Texture-Crystalline
(iv) Odour- Odourless
(v) Solubility-Soluble in water

(B) DRY TESTS FOR DETECTION OF ACID RADICALS: -

S.No Experiment Observation Inference

i Dilute sulphuric acid test - A pinch of salt was No brisk effervescence CO32- absent
taken in a clean dry test tube and 2-3 ml of dil.
H2SO4 was added. No gas with smell of SO32- absent
burning sulphur

No gas with rotten egg S 2- absent

smell

No reddish brown gas NO2- absent

ii Oxalic acid test- A small quantity of the salt was No smell of vinegar CH3COO- absent
taken on a watch glass and few drops of water
was added to make a paste.

iii MnO2 test-A pinch of the salt was taken in a No greenish yellow gas Cl- absent
clean dry test tube and a small quantity of with pungent smell
MnO2 and conc. H2SO4 was added, heated.
No reddish brown Br- absent
vapours

No deep violet vapours I - absent

iv Copper turning test- A small quantity of salt No dark brown gas NO3- absent
was taken in a clean dry test tube, 2-3 ml conc. evolved
H2SO4 was added and also a few copper chips
and the test tube was heated.
(C) WET TEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF ACID RADICAL:-

(i) Preparation of original solution- A little amount of salt was taken in a clean dry test tube to
which 5 ml distilled water was added. The test tube was shaken till the salt dissolved and a clear
solution was obtained. This solution is labeled as original solution (o.s)
Test for SO4 2-
Experiment Observation Inference
(i) BaCl2 test: To a part of the OS, 1-2 ml BaCl2 Thick white precipitation Presence of
solution was added. insoluble in mineral acids sulphate radical
confirmed
(ii) Lead acetate test: To the OS few drops of acetic acid Thick white precipitation Presence of
and lead acetate solution were added. insoluble in mineral acids sulphate radical
confirmed

CHEMICAL REACTIONS INVOLVED:-

2- -
(i) SO4 (aq) + BaCl2 (aq)→ BaSO4(white ppt, insoluble in mineral acids) + 2Cl
2- -
(ii) SO4 (aq)+ Pb(CH3COO)2 (aq)→PbSO4(white ppt,insoluble in mineral acids)+2CH3COO

(D) DRY TESTS FOR DETECTION OF BASIC RADICALS:-

S.No Experiment Observation Inference

(i) Flame test-A paste of salt with conc. HCl was No characteristic flame Inconclusive
taken in a loop made of platinum wire and colouration
introduced to the non- luminous flame.

(ii) NaOH bead test-To a pinch of salt taken in a A gas with ammoniacal ∙The evolving gas
clean dry test tube, 1or2 pellets of NaOH was smell evolved which is NH3.
added and heated give dense white ∙The presence of
fumes with dil. HCl NH 4 + indicated

(E) TEST FOR GROUP ZERO: -

S.No Experiment Observation Inference

1. Nessler's reagent test-The solid salt was heated reddish-brown ppt. NH4+ confirmed
with conc. NaOH and the gas evolved was passed obtained
through Nessler's reagent.
CHEMICAL EQUATIONS INVOLVED:-
NH4+ + NaOH Na+ + H2O + NH3↑
NH3 + HCl NH4Cl
(white fumes)
2K2[HgI4] + NH3 + 3KOH H2N.HgO.HgI↓+ 7KI + 2H2O
(reddish-brown ppt)

(F) RESULT:-
(I) Acid radical= sulphate, SO42-
(ii) Basic radical= ammonium, NH4+
(iii) Salt= Ammonium Sulphate, (NH4)2SO4