H.

M EDUCATION CENTRE
INORGANIC PRACTICAL
Detection of cation in a given inorganic sample:
Preparation of salt solution: A little amount of salt solution was prepared by taking a little amount of salt in a dry
test tube and dissolving it in distilled water. The following tests were performed by using the sample solution.
Test for Pb2+:
Experiment Observation Inference
2+
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of yellow ppt. Pb is present and
was taken in a test tube and KI confirmed
solution was added to it.
2. A small amount of sample solution Formation of yellow ppt.
was taken in a test tube and K2CrO4 Pb2+ is present and
solution was added to it. confirmed

Test for Cu2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of bluish white ppt. Cu2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube and an which dissolves in excess NH4OH confirmed
excess of NH4OH solution was added giving a deep blue solution.
to it slowly.
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of chocolate brown
was taken in a test tube and ppt. Cu2+ is present and
potassium ferrocyanide solution was confirmed
added to it.

Test for Fe3+:

Experiment Observation Inference
2. A small amount of sample solution Formation of prussian blue colour Fe3+ is present and confirmed
was taken in a test tube and
potassium ferrocyanide solution was
added to it.
3. A small amount of sample solution Formation of blood red Fe3+ is present and confirmed
was taken in a test tube and colouration
ammonium thiocyanate solution was
added to it.

Test for Al3+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of gelatinous white ppt. Al3+ is present and confirmed
was taken in a test tube and NH4Cl
was added to it followed by an
excess amount of NH4OH solution
2. A small amount of sample solution Formation of blue ppt.- suspended Al3+ is present and confirmed
was taken in a test tube, acidified in a colourless medium (called
with dil. HCl, few drops of blue lake)
litmus solution was added to it
followed by NH4OH solution in
excess. Al3+ is present and confirmed
3. Charcoal cavity test was performed Blue residue was left behind
with the sample

Test for Zn2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
 1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of white ppt. Zn2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube, acidified confirmed
with dil. Acetic acid and potassium
ferrocyanide solution was added to
it. Formation of white ppt. soluble in
2. A small amount of sample solution excess NaOH. Zn2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube and NaOH confirmed
solution was added to it.

Test for Ni2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of bright red ppt. Ni2+ is present and confirmed
was taken in a test tube, made
alkaline by adding NH4OH and a few
drops of dimethyl glyoxime solution
was added to it.
2. Borax bead test was performed. The colour of the bead was brown Ni2+ is present and confirmed
in oxidising flame and grey in
reducing flame

Test for Co2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of yellow ppt. Co2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube; a pinch of confirmed
potassium nitrite was added to it and
acidified with dil. acetic acid.
2. Borax bead test was performed. Blue bead
Co2+ is present and
confirmed

Test for Mn2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of white ppt. which Mn2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube and NaOH turns brown on keeping confirmed
solution was added to it in excess.
2. Borax bead test was performed. The colour of the bead was pink in Mn2+ is present and
oxidising flame and colourless in confirmed
reducing flame

Test for Ba2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of yellow ppt. Ba2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube, acidified confirmed
with dil. Acetic acid and
K2CrO4solution was added to it. Apple green coloured flame
2. Flame test was performed with the Ba2+ is present and
sample confirmed

Test for Sr2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of white ppt. Sr2+ is present and confirmed
was taken in a test tube acidified
with acetic acid and ammonium
sulphate solution was added to it.
 2. Flame test was performed with the Persistent crimson red coloured Sr2+ is present and confirmed
sample flame

Test for Ca2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of heavy white ppt. Ca2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube, made which is soluble in HCl but confirmed
alkaline with NH4OH and ammonium insoluble in acetic acid
oxalate solution was added to it.
2. Flame test was performed with the Brick red coloured flame (Not
sample persistent) Ca2+ is present and
confirmed

Test for Mg2+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of white ppt. Mg2+ is present and
was taken in a test tube and a pinch confirmed
of NH4Cl and a few drops of
ammonium hydroxide solution were
added followed by the addition of
sodium hydrogen phosphate A pink residue left behind Mg2+ is present and
solution. confirmed
2. Charcoal cavity test was performed
with the sample

Test for NH4+:

Experiment Observation Inference
1. A small amount of sample solution Formation of brown ppt. NH4+ is present and
was taken in a test tube and alkaline confirmed
Nessler’s reagent was added to it.
2. A small amount of salt solution was Evolution of pungent smelling
taken in a test tube and NaOH ammonia gas. NH4+ is present and
solution was added to it and heated. confirmed