IGCSE Chemistry Chemical Tests Reference Sheet
Complete Revision Guide: Qualitative Analysis (Ions, Gases, Water, Flame Tests)
Exam Tip regarding Paper 5/6 vs Paper 1-4: This data table (Notes for use in qualitative analysis) is only provided at the back
of Paper 5 (Practical Test). For Paper 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 (Alternative to Practical), you are expected to memorize all of these
test methods and observations!
1. TEST FOR WATER (QUALITATIVE & PURITY TESTS)
Test / Property Reagent / Method Positive Result
Chemical Test 1 Anhydrous Copper(II) sulfate Turns from white to blue
Chemical Test 2 Anhydrous Cobalt(II) chloride Turns from blue to pink
Purity Test (Boiling Point) Heat liquid and measure boiling temperature Boils at exactly 100°C
Purity Test (Freezing Point) Cool liquid and measure freezing temperature Freezes at exactly 0°C
2. TESTS FOR GASES
Gas Test and Test Result
Ammonia (NH₃) Turns damp red litmus paper blue
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Turns limewater milky / cloudy
Chlorine (Cl₂) Bleaches damp litmus paper white
Hydrogen (H₂) 'Pops' with a lighted splint
Oxygen (O₂) Relights a glowing splint
Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Turns acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII) from purple to colourless
3. TESTS FOR ANIONS (NEGATIVE IONS)
Anion Test Method Test Result
Carbonate (CO₃²⁻) Add dilute acid Effervescence (fizzing), CO₂ produced (turns
limewater milky)
Chloride (Cl⁻) [in Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver White precipitate formed
solution] nitrate
Bromide (Br⁻) [in Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver Cream precipitate formed
solution] nitrate
Iodide (I⁻) [in solution] Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous silver Yellow precipitate formed
nitrate
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) [in Add aqueous sodium hydroxide, then aluminium foil; Ammonia gas produced (turns damp red litmus
solution] warm carefully paper blue)
Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) [in Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then add aqueous White precipitate formed
solution] barium nitrate
Sulfite (SO₃²⁻) Add dilute hydrochloric acid, warm gently and test for SO₂ gas produced (turns acidified potassium
SO₂ gas manganate(VII) from purple to colourless)
4. TESTS FOR AQUEOUS CATIONS (POSITIVE IONS)
Cation Effect of Aqueous Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Effect of Aqueous Ammonia (NH₃)
Aluminium (Al³⁺) White ppt., soluble in excess giving a colourless White ppt., insoluble in excess
solution
Ammonium (NH₄⁺) Ammonia produced on warming (no ppt.) —
Calcium (Ca²⁺) White ppt., insoluble in excess No ppt. or very slight white ppt.
Chromium(III) (Cr³⁺) Green ppt., soluble in excess giving green solution Grey-green ppt., insoluble in excess
Copper(II) (Cu²⁺) Light blue ppt., insoluble in excess Light blue ppt., soluble in excess giving a dark blue
solution
Iron(II) (Fe²⁺) Green ppt., insoluble in excess (turns brown at Green ppt., insoluble in excess
surface)
Iron(III) (Fe³⁺) Red-brown ppt., insoluble in excess Red-brown ppt., insoluble in excess
Zinc (Zn²⁺) White ppt., soluble in excess giving a colourless White ppt., soluble in excess giving a colourless
solution solution
5. FLAME TESTS FOR METAL IONS
Metal Ion Flame Colour
Lithium (Li⁺) Red
Sodium (Na⁺) Yellow
Potassium (K⁺) Lilac
Calcium (Ca²⁺) Orange-red
Copper(II) (Cu²⁺) Blue-green
Barium (Ba²⁺) Apple green
IGCSE Chemistry (0620 / 0971) Revision Summary • Notes for Qualitative Analysis