Name: Uukanga Paulina

Student no: 218121407

Experiment: 2
Group members: Auene J.N 218118341
Nankudhu S.

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 Title: Identification of Cations
Aim: To determine the cations present in unknown solutions using sodium hydroxide and
ammonia
Introduction: When metals and nonmetals react, they form ions. These ions are formed when
metals transfer their valence electrons to nonmetals. Compounds that result are called ionic
compounds, when dissolved in water they dissociate into ions and they can conduct electricity.
Ions with positive charges are called cations and those with negative charges are called anions
(Svante, 1884). Unlike covalent compounds, which can be identified using physical properties
such as boiling point, ionic compounds are identified with their chemical properties such as
formation of precipitate and solubility. When cations are in solutions, they can be identified
using sodium hydroxides solutions and ammonia. All hydroxides are insoluble except group two
metals. When two solutions are mixed, they form insoluble solids called precipitates, different
cations have different precipitate colors. When excess reagent is added to the solution the
precipitate may dissolve. Cu2+(aq)+ OH- (aq) ↔Cu(OH)2(s), precipitation reaction of copper and

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hydroxides form copper(II)hydroxides precipitate.

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(http://www.wiredchemist.com/chemistry/instructional/laboratoy-tutorials/qualitative-analysis).

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Results:
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Table 1: Precipitate colors and Solubility
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solutions NaOH NH3 Excess Excess NH3 Solubility Solubility
(precipitate (precipitate NaOH in NaOH in NH3
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color) color)
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A White No ppt white No ppt Soluble

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B White White White White Soluble Soluble

C Brown Brown Brown Brown Soluble Soluble
D Orange Orange Orange Orange Insoluble Insoluble
E Green Green Green Green Insoluble Insoluble
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F Green Green Green Blue Insoluble Insoluble

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G Light blue Light blue Light blue Dark blue Insoluble Insoluble
H Dark Blue Dark Blue Dark Blue Orange Insoluble Soluble
Brown
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Discussion: Table 2: Cations present in solutions

Solutions Cations
A Ca2+
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B Zn2+
C Mn2+
D Fe3+
E Fe2+
F Ni2+
G Cu2+

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 H Co2+
[ CITATION Les02 \l 1033 ]

(https://images.app.goo.gl/MuHa9t28FXbnBohGA)
It is observed that when cations react with NaOH and NH3 they form precipitate of different
colors. These precipitates can be used to identify cations in unknown solutions. However, some
cations did not form precipitates of their literature colors, this is the solutions were not
concentrated and also because of the errors that were made during the experiment. Addition of
sodium hydroxide and ammonia solution dropwise is one source of error because students do not
how to add drops and this will result in a lot of solution used or less amount of solution used.
Labelling of test tubes with a temporary marker pen, labels may be removed when shaking the
test tubes and it will be difficulty to identify which unknown is present in that tube. Observations
of precipitate colors, different students have different opinions about colors, so it’s better for one
student to observe the colors of precipitates form. Do not use tap water to rinse glassware rather
use distilled water because tap water contains chemicals that will affect the results. When

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shaking the test tubes do not use your finger to cover the test tube. When using toxic gases

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specifically ammonia, conduct the experiment in the fume hood because they may cause

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respiratory problems.[ CITATION Kim15 \l 1033 ]

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References
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(n.d.). Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/MuHa9t28FXbnBohGA

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wiredchemist.com/chemistry/instructional/laboratoy-
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tutorials/qualitative-analysis
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Kim Seng Chan, J. T. (2015). Understanding Experimental Planning for Advanced level
chemistry.
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Lambert, N. (1993). Chemistry for CXC.

Lesley Butcher, P. E. (2002). Nelson Modular Science (Vol. 3).

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