lab #7

Topic: Qualitative Analysis

Date:  November 26, 2021
Sub – Topic: Identification of Cations and Anions
Syllabus Objective Section B.2   7.1, 7.3
Skill Assessed           Analysis and interpretation, Observation, Recording and 
                                    Reporting
Aim:                            To determine the cation and anion present in two unknown substances,
A and C. 

Apparatus/Materials:

Test Observation Inference

1. 1 spatula full of substance A was dissolved into
30cm3 of distilled water and then placed in a reagent
bottle. This solution was used to carry out the Solution A changed Fe3+
following tests: from light-brown to
a. To about 2cm3 of Solution A:  red-brown
i. Add 6M of NaOH(aq) drop by drop 

ii. Add NaOH(aq) in excess.

b. The mixture was warmed and a damped red The red litmus paper
litmus paper was placed over the mouth to observe remained red.
the changes.

1. 1 spatula full of substance A was dissolved into

30cm3 of distilled water and then placed in a reagent
bottle. This solution was used to carry out the Solution C colour Ca2+
following tests: remained colourless
a. To about 2cm3 in a test tube of Solution C: 
i. Add 6M of NaOH(aq) drop by drop 

ii. Add NaOH(aq) in excess.

b. The mixture was warmed and a damped red The red litmus paper NH4+
litmus paper was placed over the mouth to observe colour changed to NH3
the changes. blue

3. 2cm3 of Solution A and acidified with HNO3 was Solution A colour Fe3+
added into a test tube then:  changed from
i) Add a few drops of potassium thiocyanate  colourless to dark red
4. 2cm3 of Solution C and acidified with HNO3 was Solution C colour
added into a test tube then:  remained colourless
i) Add a few drops of potassium thiocyanate
5. 2cm3 of Solution A was added into a test tube i)Solution A remained Cl-
 then:  brown
i) Add a few drops of AgNO3
ii)Solution A changed
from brown to
ii) add a few drops of HNO3 colourless

6. 2cm3 of Solution C was added into a test tube Solution C remained Cl-
then:  colourless
i) Add a few drops of AgNO3

ii) add a few drops of HNO3

7. 2cm3 of Solution A was added into a test tube Solution A changed SO42-
then: from brown to cloudy-
i) Add 20 drops of Barium Chloride  white

ii)  add a few drops of HNO3

8. 2cm3 of Solution C was added into a test tube

then: Solution C changed SO42-
from colourless
i) 20 drops of Barium Chloride were added to cloudy-white

ii)  add a few drops of HNO3

9. 2cm3 of Solution A was added into a test tube Solution A turned

then: from brown to pale
i) add a few drops of Hydrochloric acid  green.

10. 2cm3 of Solution C was added into a test tube Solution C remained
then:  colourless.
i) add a few drops of Hydrochloric acid 

Discussion Questions: 

1. For the inference in the table write the ion present if any and the ionic equation for such
reaction that occur (reaction will be based on colour changes or gas evolved, etc.). 
2. Write the name of the: 

a) Cation in solution A – iron (III) (Fe3+)

b) Anion in solution A – Chlorine (Cl-)
c. The molecular formula for the salt in solution A - FeCl3 (s)

d.Cation in solution C - Ca2+ 

e) Anion in solution C - Chlorine (Cl-)
f. The molecular formula for the salt in solution C – CaCl 2 (aq)

Conclusion: 
The cation present in unknown substance A is iron (III) (Fe3+) and the anion present
was Chlorine (Cl-). The cation present in unknow substance C is ammonia (Ca2+) and the
cation was Chlorine (Cl-).