SCES3023: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

PRACTICAL 3

Purpose: To determine the cation and anion in an unknown salt.

Materials: Substance Y, distilled water, litmus paper, wooden splint, matches,

barium nitrate solution, dilute nitric acid , sodium hydroxide solution,
ammmonia solution, potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) solution , ferum (II)
sulphate, dilute sulphuric acid and concentrated sulphuric acid.

Apparatus: 100 cm3 beaker, glass rod, test tube, test tube rack, boiling tube, spatula,
bunsen burner, dropper, litmus paper, wooden splint .

Procedure :
Y is a soluble salt. Carry out the following tests on Y. Record your observations and
inferences in Table 1. Identify one cation and one anion in Y

Observation and inference:

Table 1: Observation and inference based on tests on Y mixture.

Test Observation Inference
(a) Mix a small amount of substance Y Colourless solution -
with distilled water in a test tube.
Divide the solution into four portions.
(i) Add the first portion with barium No visible change No SO42- ion is
nitrate, followed by dilute nitric present. BaSO4 is a
acid. insoluble salt.

(ii) Add the second portion with White precipitate, Zn2+, Pb2+,
sodium hydroxide solution dissolve in excess Al3+maybe present

(iii) Add to the third portion with White precipitate, Zn2+ ion is maybe
ammonia solution dissolve in excess present

(iv) Add to the fourth portion with White precipitate Zn2+ion is present
potassium hexacyanoferate
(II) solution.

(b) Heat a small amount of substance Y Crystal melts and it The gas may
in a boiling tube. becomes solution, contain NO2 and O2.
effervescence
Test any gas released from the occurs. The residue left is
reaction. Brown gas release maybe ZnO.
and it contains
vapour. The gas is acidic.

Litmus paper test-

the gas turns the
blue litmus paper
 into red.
Glowing wooden
splinter test- the gas
relighted the
splinter.

After heating, a
residue was left.
The residue is
yellow when hot and
white when cold.

(c) Add dilute sulphuric acid and iron (II) At first, there was a NO3- is present
sulphate to a solution of substance Y. formation of two
Then add concentrated sulfuric acid layer in the solution
slowly. of the test tube.
Then when the
concentrated
sulfuric acid is
added, a brown ring
was observed.

Discussion

This experiment is to identify the cation and anion in the substance Y. At first before the
experiment, our groupmate makes sure that all the apparatus and materials are in good
condition. Then, we rinse the apparatus with distilled water to prevent the deposit of
residue.

Then, the substance Y was mixed with distilled water and a colourless solution is
formed. Then, the solution was divided into four portion. At the first portion, the solution
was added with barium nitrate, followed by dilute nitric acid. After that, we found out that
there was no visible change in the solution. This showed that there was no SO42- ion in
the solution because there was no precipitate in the solution. This is because SO42- will
combines with Ba2+ and form Ba(SO4). This is an insoluble salt.

In the second portion, the solution was added with sodium hydroxide. This is to identify
the colour of the salt. After adding sodium hydroxide, we found out that white precipitate
was formed and it will dissolve in excess. So, Zn2+, Pb2+, Al3+maybe present.
In the second portion, we added ammonia solution into the residue. Then, we find out
that white precipitate forms inside the test tube. It dissolves in the excess of ammonia
solution. From that, we can determine that the cation of the solution is maybe Zn2+.
So, we can form an equation

Zn2+ + 2NH3 + H2O Zn(OH)2 + 2NH4+

If in excess, the zinc hydroxide will form tetraamminezinc (ii) ion which is colourless.

Zn(OH)2 + 4NH3→ [Zn(NH3)4]2+ + 2OH-

In the fourth portion, potassium hexacyanoferate (II) solution was added. A thick layer of
white precipitate was formed. We can confirm that the cation is Zn2+ ion.

3Zn2+ + 2K+ +2[Fe(CN)6]4- → K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2

The product is white in colour, so it is zinc.

After that, our group tested the anion of the substance Y. A small amount of substance Y
was inserted into a boiling tube. After heating, we found out that the crystal of substance
Y has melted into liquid and effervescence occurs. A brown gas that contains water
vapour was released. Then, some test was being done to determine the type of brown
gas. The brown gas maybe NO2.
Litmus paper test
A piece of blue litmus paper was put near to the mouth of the boiling tube, then the
colour of the blue litmus paper changed from blue to red. This showed that the gas was
acidic.
Glowing wooden splinter test
A piece of glowing wooden splinter was inserted into the boiling tube. Then, the glowing
wooden splinter relighted. This showed that the gas released contained O2.

After heating, a residue was formed in the boiling tube. The residue was yellow when hot
and white when cold. The residue was ZnO.

Another test tube was prepared. The solution of substance Y was added with dilute
sulphuric acid and iron (ii) sulphate solution. Then, concentrated sulphuric acid was
added slowly into the test tube. In this process, the test tube must be holded slightly
slanting and it must be done in the fume chamber. This is because concentrated
sulphuric acid is toxic. Then when the concentrated sulfuric acid is added, a brown ring
was observed. NO3- ion is present.

1: 2 Zn(NO3)2 + 2 H2SO4 → 2 ZnSO4 + 4 HNO3

4 FeSO4 + 2 H2SO4 → 2 Fe2(SO4)3 + 2H2

These two reaction happens simultaneously.

2: 4 HNO3 → 2 H2O + 3O2 + 4 NO
The Nitric Acid decomposes in the intense heat produced by the high concentrate
sulphuric Acid used.
3: 2 Fe2(SO4)3 + 2 H2 + 4 NO → 4 [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4 + 2 H2SO4
The [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4 forms a brown ring in the middle of the solution.

Our experiment is successful due to our cooperation of our groupmates. Besides of that,
our groupmates have the spirit for never giving up when we faced problems during our
experiment.

Precaution
1. The apparatus must be rinsed with water to wash off the left residue.
2. The test tube must be hold slanting when insert the dilute sulphuric acid and iron
(ii) sulphate solution and the concentrated sulphuric acid.
3. The fan must be switch off when heating the substance Y.

Conclusion
As a conclusion, substance Y is zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2.
QUESTIONS:

1. Write a balanced ionic equation for the reaction involved in test (a) (iv).
3Zn2+ + 2K+ +2[Fe(CN)6]4- → K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2

2. Explain why substance Y needs to be heated in test (b)?

To determine the gas release.

3. Explain how the gas released in test (b) can be tested?

By using blue litmus paper and a glowing wooden splinter.

4. Explain why concentrated sulphuric acid need to be added slowly?

To prevent the concentrated sulphuric acid to mix with other solution.

5. Predict what will happen in a solution of substance Y is added to sodium

carbonate? Write a balanced ionic equation for the reaction involved.
An insoluble salt is formed.

Zn(NO3)2 + NaCO3 → ZnCO3 + NaNO3

Zn + CO32- →ZnCO3
Na + NO3-→NaNO3
Reference

Compound interest. (2014). Testing for cations- sodium hydroxide & ammonia
precipitate. Retrieved from http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/03/19/testing-for-
cations-sodium-hydroxide-ammonia-precipitates/

GuruprakashAcademy. (7 February 2012). What is brown ring test. (video) Retrieved

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPPMYBdEn8U

Researchgate. (2014). What is the best procedure to do brown ring test for nitrate salts?
Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_best_procedure_to_do
_brown_ring_test_for_nitrate_salts2

Tan, Y. T. Loh, W. T. Tan, O. T. (2016). Success Chemistry SPM. Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia: Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd.

Yamin Yasin. (2016). Xpress Asasi Chemistry SPM. Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia:
Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd.