Testing for Carbonate Ions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eryK-SRXBl0

What does qualitative test tell us

Wether a chemical is present,

What is carbonate test based on

The fact that carbonate ions react with acids to form carbon dioxide.

What happens when an acid is added to a carbonate

We see effervescence , tells us the production is producing a gas, to prove carbonate is present, we need to show the gas produced is carbon dioxide.

What do we do with the gas produced from the reaction

We bubble the gas through limewater (calcium hydroxide)

Carbon dioxide reacts with the calcium carbonate to for a white precipitate, turning the limewater cloudy

Whats benefit of using nitric acid in a carbonate test.

We can then go on to test the same ample for both the sulfate ion and halide ions.