Part 1: Cation Reference Tests
Test Known Cation Formula Reagent used Observations Balanced Net Ionic Equations
a. Barium Ba²⁺ K₂CrO₄ Bright yellow precipitant Ba²⁺ + CrO₄²⁻ ---> BaCrO₄
b. Calcium Ca²⁺ K₂CrO₄ Litmus paper turned blue Ca²⁺ + C₂O₄²⁻ ---> CaC₂O₄
c. Sodium Na⁺ NaCl Orange flame Na⁺ + heat ---> Orange flame
d. Ammonium Ion NH₄⁺ NaOH Litmus paper turned blue slowly -
Unknown Cation
Bottle used #1
Tests for finding unkown Cation Conclusion
Tests Observations When subjecting the unknown cation to the previous
a. Light yellow precipitant tests, the only two test that showed any change were
b. White precipitant tests a & b, while tests c & d showed no visible change
c. No reaction in the solution. Therefore, we can conclude the
d. No reaction unknown had Barium and Calcium present.
Part 2: Anion Reference Tests
Test Known Anion Formula Reagent Used Observations Balanced Net Ionic Equations
a. Sulfate SO₄²⁻ HCl / BaCl₂ White cloudy precipitant SO₄²⁻ + BaCl₂ ---> BaSO₄
b. Iodide I⁻ HC₂H₃O₂ / KNO₂ Reddish-brown color Ag⁺ + I⁻ ---> AgI
c. Bromide Br⁻ HClO Light Brown Ag⁺ + Br⁻ ---> AgBr
d. Carbonate CO₃²⁻ H₂SO₄ / Ba(OH)₂ Solution turned milky white -
e. Chloride Cl⁻ AgNO₃ Small white precipitant -
f. Nitrate NO₃⁻ FeSO₄ / H₂SO₄ Systematic error - No brown ring present -
Unknown Anion
Bottle Used #3
Test for finding unkown Anion Conclusions
Tests Observations
a. No reaction When subjecting the unknown anion to the previous
b. No reaction tests, the only test that showed any change was test e,
c. No reaction while tests a, b, c, d & f showed no visible change in the
d. No reaction solution. Therefore, we can conclude the unknown had
e. White precipitant Chloride present.
f. No reaction
Flowcharts
Unknown Cation in small test tube
Testing for Barium Testing for Calcium Testing for Sodium Testing for Ammonium Ions
Add 8 drops of 6 M Add NaOH, place in beaker ,
Add 15 M of NH₃ and
HC₂H₃O₂ & 1 drop of 1 Perform flame test warm and test with litmus paper
seven drops of K₂C₂O₄
M K₂CrO₄ (color change from red to blue)
Light yellow
White precipitant No reaction No reaction
precipitant
Unknown Anion in small test tube
Testing for Sulfate Testing for Bromide Testing for Chloride
Add 10 drops of 6 M Add five drops of Add one drop of
HCl & 1 drop of BaCl₂ chlorine water AgNO₃
No reaction No reaction White precipitant
Testing for Iodide Testing for Carbonate Testing for Nitrate
Add five drops of 6 M Add four drops of 6 M Add five drops of
HC₂H₃O₂ & two drops H₂SO₄ and one drop of FeSO₄ & one drop of
of 0.2 M KNO₂ Ba(OH)₂ H₂SO₄
No reaction No reaction No reaction
