IDENTIFICATION OF GASES IN A CHEMICAL REACTION

GAS TEST OBSERVATION

Hydrogen Lighted splint held in a test Pop sound heard
tube
Carbon Dioxide Gas bubbled through Limewater turns milky or
limewater cloudy white
Litmus paper Turns dam red litmus paper
Ammonia blue.
universal indicator Turns damp universal
indicator blue.

Hydrogen
Hydrogen ignites in air. If hydrogen is present in a test tube, a lighted splint held near
its mouth ignites with a squeaky pop.

Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide reacts with calcium hydroxide solution to produce
a white precipitate of calcium carbonate. Limewater is a solution of
calcium hydroxide. If carbon dioxide is bubbled through limewater,
the limewater turns milky or cloudy white.

Ammonia
Ammonium ions can be identified in a solution by adding dilute sodium hydroxide solution
and gently heating. If ammonium ions are present, they will be converted to ammonia
gas. Ammonia has a characteristic choking smell. It also turns damp red litmus paper or
damp universal indicator paper blue.