Chapter 21

Qualitative Analysis

S NEWMAN

GRADE 10
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
What is QA?
■ QA stands for Qualitative Analysis.
It is a process that a chemist carries out
to identify an unknown substance.
■ The analysis will identify the cation(s)
and anion(s) present in the unknown sample.
 Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis

The QA Process
Five important steps
1. Make preliminary observations about the
unknown substance.
2. Carry out tests in the order given.
3. Make observations and record them in a suitable format.
4. Draw conclusions from the observations
5. Identify the unknown substance.
 Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Preliminary Observations
What is the nature of the What is the colour of the
substance? substance?

- Is it crystalline, metallic - Is it white, colourless,

or in powder form? blue, yellow or some other
colour?

The colour tells us about the possible cations

present in the substance.
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Preliminary Observations
Colour Possible identity of substance
White (colourless) Sodium (Na+), potassium(K+), ammonium
(NH4+)
Black Copper(II) oxide (CuO),
Iron(II) oxide (FeO)
Blue/green Copper(II), Cu2+ or Iron(II), Fe2+
Yellowish/brown Iron(III), Fe3+
Greyish, metallic Metals: Zinc, Iron, Magnesium,
Aluminium
 Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Preliminary Observations
Is it soluble in water?

■ The solubility tells us about the

possible anions present in the
Soluble
substance.

Insoluble
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Preliminary Observations
Table of Solubility
Salt Solubility in water
Carbonates Insoluble except those of sodium,
potassium and ammonium
Chlorides Soluble except those of lead(II) and
silver.
Nitrates All are soluble.
Sulphates Soluble except those of lead(II) and
Barium
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Quantity of Substance
■ Solid : 1 small spatula, just enough
to cover the bottom of a test tube.
■ Liquid : About 2 cm-depth in a test tube.
■ Reagent : Pour slowly and carefully
down the side of the test tube.

Or

use a dropper and drop it slowly into the test tube.

Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Using a Bunsen burner
Heating Liquids
▪ Use a gentle non-luminous flame (air-hole half open) for
heating a liquid in a test tube.
▪ Move the test tube up and down the flame and stop the
heating as soon as the liquid starts to boil.
Heating Solids
▪ When heating a solid, place it in a dry, clean test tube. Heat
gently at first, then strongly.
▪ For your own safety, wear protective goggles and point the test
tube away from yourself and others when heating.
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Recording Results
■ Record all your observations
immediately or you may forget.
■ Record the change in colour
Before After
before and after the test.

■ Record the formation of a

precipitate - its colour and
whether it is soluble in
excess (extra amount) of
White ppt. Ppt. is
the reagent. formed soluble
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis
Recording Results
■ Record the liberation of a gas by noting if any bubbles
(effervescence) are seen. State the test you carried out to
identify the gas, and the result you obtained.
■ You may use phrases and short forms:
formulae for names of chemicals
ppt. for precipitate
aq. for aqueous solution
Chapter 21
Qualitative Analysis

Detection of gases
■ How do we tell if a gas is given off?

(a) Effervescence
- Bubbles of gas are seen in
the solution.
(b) Fumes
- White fumes are seen when a
substance is heated.
Test for Cations:
State what is observed from video

► Write down you observation for reaction when

► sodium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide is added and then in
excess

https://youtu.be/NiwBPiWbR9c
Confirmatory Test for cations (Aluminum and Lead) using KI

Confirmatory Test for Lead(s) using HCl

Confirmatory Test for Aluminium(s) using HCl

Lab Sheet for Cations

Distinguish between the Al3+
and Pb2+ ions
Test for Al3+
Test for Pb2+
TEST FOR ANIONS
 Test for Anions:
State what is observed from video

► Write down you observation

Introduction to Test for Anion

Sulphate anion test using BaNO3

(Sulphate and Sulphite have same observation but ppt formed in the sulphite test dissolves upon
addition of acid)

Nitrate test
Test for Nitrates (Watch from 3:55 to 4: 40)
NO3 test

Carbonate, Sulphate, Sulphite test: See page 352 via the link (last table) Anions
Lab Sheet_ Anion
You do not need to know the equation. You need to know how to explain what happens
Test for Anion
 Test for gases

► https://youtu.be/jVkGKurtaiE

► https://youtu.be/P_gPlbExHv0

► https://youtu.be/_GqBl83Koig

► See text pg 354 for test for HCl(g), SO2 (g), NO2 (g), H2O(g)