GCE Ordinary Level Qualitative Analysis

Vocabulary flashcards covering qualitative analysis tests and results for anions, cations, gases, and metal hydroxide colors according to the GCE Ordinary Level Science syllabus.

Carbonate ($CO_3^{2-}$)

Test: Add dilute acid. Result: Effervescence, carbon dioxide produced.

Chloride ($Cl^-$) [in solution]

Test: Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver nitrate. Result: White ppt.

Nitrate ($NO_3^-$) [in solution]

Test: Add aqueous sodium hydroxide, then aluminium foil; warm carefully. Result: Ammonia produced.

Sulfate ($SO_4^{2-}$) [in solution]

Test: Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous barium nitrate. Result: White ppt.

Aluminium ($Al^{3+}$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: White ppt., soluble in excess giving a colourless solution. Effect of aqueous ammonia: White ppt., insoluble in excess.

Ammonium ($NH_4^+$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: Ammonia produced on warming. Effect of aqueous ammonia: No precipitate.

Calcium ($Ca^{2+}$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: White ppt., insoluble in excess. Effect of aqueous ammonia: No ppt.

Copper(II) ($Cu^{2+}$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: Light blue ppt., insoluble in excess. Effect of aqueous ammonia: Light blue ppt., soluble in excess giving a dark blue solution.

Iron(II) ($Fe^{2+}$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: Green ppt., insoluble in excess. Effect of aqueous ammonia: Green ppt., insoluble in excess.

Iron(III) ($Fe^{3+}$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: Red-brown ppt., insoluble in excess. Effect of aqueous ammonia: Red-brown ppt., insoluble in excess.

Zinc ($Zn^{2+}$)

Effect of aqueous sodium hydroxide: White ppt., soluble in excess giving a colourless solution. Effect of aqueous ammonia: White ppt., soluble in excess giving a colourless solution.

Ammonia ($NH_3$)

Test and test result: Turns damp red litmus paper blue.

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)

Test and test result: Gives white ppt. with limewater (ppt. dissolves with excess $CO_2$).

Chlorine ($Cl_2$)

Test and test result: Bleaches damp litmus paper.

Hydrogen ($H_2$)

Test and test result: 'Pops' with a lighted splint.

Oxygen ($O_2$)

Test and test result: Relights a glowing splint.

Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$)

Test and test result: Turns aqueous acidified potassium manganate(VII) from purple to colourless.

Aluminium hydroxide

Colour: White

Calcium hydroxide

Colour: White

Copper(II) hydroxide

Colour: Light blue

Iron(II) hydroxide

Colour: Green

Iron(III) hydroxide

Colour: Red-brown

Zinc hydroxide

Colour: White