ion tests

Carbonates (anion)

Add dilute acid. If it fizzes (effervescence), the gas produced is CO2. Bubble it through limewater; it will turn cloudy.

Sulfates (anion)

Add dilute hydrochloric acid, then barium chloride solution. A white precipitate of barium sulfate form.

Halides (anion) (chloride , bromide , iodide)

Add dilute nitric acid, then silver nitrate solution.

Chloride (halides)

White precipitate.

Bromide (halides)

Cream precipitate.

Iodide (halides)

Yellow precipitate.

Flame Tests (cation)

Dip a clean wire loop into the compound and hold it in a blue Bunsen flame:

Lithium (cation)

Crimson

Sodium (cation)

Yellow

Potassium (cation)

Lilac

Calcium (cation)

Orange red

Copper (cation)

Green

NaOH Precipitation (cation)

Add sodium hydroxide solution to the unknown:

copper ( cation)

Green

Iron(III) (cation)

Brown precipitate.

Magnesium (cation)

White precipitate.