Lab #

Lab Skill: ORR

Lab Topic: Qualitative Analysis
Lab Title: Testing for Cations

Aim: To observe tests with the following cations: Ca2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Zn2+,Cu2+,Fe2+,
Fe3+, NH4+

Apparatus: 12 test tubes, 1 test tube rack, white background, 12 droppers, 8 * 100mL beakers

Materials: Aqueous ammonia, aqueous sodium hydroxide, cation samples, potassium iodide,
hydrochloric acid

Diagram

Title: DIAGRAM OF APPARATUS TO TEST FOR CATIONS

Procedure:
1. A few drops of aqueous sodium hydroxide were added to a test tube containing a
solution of cation
2. Observations were recorded
3. Aqueous sodium hydroxide was added in excess to the same test tube containing a
solution of cation
4. Observations were recorded. Where there was no formation of a precipitate, the
solution was gently warmed and tested for ammonia.
5. Steps 1-4 were repeated using another solution containing a cation
6. A few drops of aqueous ammonia were added in excess to the same test tube
containing a solution of cation
7. Observations were recorded
8. Aqueous ammonia in excess was added to the same test tube containing a solution of
a cation
9. Observations were recorded
10. Steps 6-9 were repeated using another solution containing cations
11. To a test tube with a solution containing lead cations, a few drops of aqueous
potassium iodide were added. Observations were recorded.
12. To a test tube with a solution containing lead cations, a few drops of hydrochloric acid
were added. Observations were recorded
13. Steps 11-12 were repeated using a solution containing aluminium cations

Observations:
Title: THE SODIUM HYDROXIDE CATION TEST CONDUCTED USING VARIOUS
CATIONS

Cation Test (NaOH) Observations Expected Inferences

(aq) Observations
Ca2+ Dropwise: cloudy Dropwise: White Ion tested for may be present.
white precipitate precipitate
(clear and was formed
colourless) Ionic equations:
In excess: no further In excess: insoluble -
2OH (aq)+ Ca2+(aq)→ Ca(OH)(s)2
change. Remained (precipitate remains)
as a cloudy white
precipitate
Al3+ Dropwise: no colour Dropwise: white -
3OH (aq) + Al3+(aq) →
change was precipitate
Al(OH)3(s)
(clear and colourless observed
solution)
In excess: no colour In excess:
change was Precipitate dissolves 2Al(aq)+ 2NaOH(aq)+ 6H2O
observed
(l)→ 2Na [Al (OH)4] +
3H2(g)
After heated: turned
red litmus paper
blue
Pb2+ Dropwise: No Dropwise: White -
2OH (aq)+ Pb2+(aq)→ Pb(OH)(s)2
colour change was precipitate
(clear and observed
colourless)
In excess: No colour In excess: white
change was precipitate dissolves
observed to form a colourless
solution
After heated: turned
red litmus paper
blue
Zn2+ Dropwise: A cloudy Dropwise: White Zn2+ + 2OH- → Zn(OH)2
white precipitate precipitate should
(clear and was formed form
colourless) Zn(OH)2(s) + 2OH (aq) - (in
In excess: It became In excess: Dissolved excess) →[ZnOH4]2-
colourless and in excess sodium
precipitate dissolved hydroxide

After heated: Turned

red litmus paper to
blue
Cu2+ Dropwise: A blue Dropwise: Blue -
2OH (aq)+ Cu2+(aq)→ Cu(OH)
precipitate was precipitate should
(s)2
(blue and clear formed form
collusion)
In excess: Blue In excess: Insoluble
precipitate remained (blue precipitate
and individual remains)
particles can be seen
Fe2+ Dropwise: Pale Dropwise: Green -
2OH (aq)+ Fe2+(aq)→ Fe(OH)(s)2
yellow clear solution precipitate
(clear and colourless was formed
solution)
In excess: Remains In excess: Green
as a pale yellow precipitate remains
clear solution
Fe3+ Dropwise: A clear Dropwise: Red -
3OH (aq) + Fe3+(aq) →
yellow solution brown precipitate
Fe(OH)3(s)
(pale yellow should form
solution) In excess: brown
precipitate was In excess: Red-
formed brown precipitate
should remain
NH4+ Dropwise: No Dropwise: OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq) → NH3(g) +
colour change was Colourless solution H2O
(clear and colourless observed
solution)
In excess: No colour In excess:
change was Colourless solution
observed

After heating: Red

litmus paper turned
to blue

Title: THE AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE CATION TEST

Cation Test (NH3) Observations Expected Inferences

(aq) Observations
Ca2+ Dropwise: remains Dropwise: No Ionic equation: They
clear and colourless precipitate formed don’t react.
(clear and Calcium ions do not
colourless) In excess: remains In excess: No react.
clear and colourless. precipitate formed
No colour change Ion tested for may
be present.
Al3+ Dropwise: remains Dropwise: White
 clear and colourless precipitate should
(clear and colourless form
solution) In excess: became a
slightly translucent In excess: Does not
and particles were dissolve and
seen precipitate remains

Pb2+ Dropwise: No Dropwise: White

colour change was precipitate should
(clear and observed form
colourless)
In excess: No colour In excess: Insoluble
change was (precipitate remains)
observed
Zn2+ Dropwise: A cloudy Dropwise: White
white precipitate precipitate should
(clear and was formed form
colourless)
In excess: Cloudy
white precipitate In excess: Dissolves
remained in excess aqueous
ammonia.

Cu2+ Dropwise: remains Dropwise: Blue

clear blue precipitate should
(blue and clear form
collusion) In excess: light blue
precipitate all In excess: Soluble in
throughout was excess. Dissolves to
observed form deep blue
solution
Fe2+ Dropwise: No Dropwise: Green
colour change was precipitate
(clear and colourless observed. Remained
solution) clear and colourless

In excess: Remained In excess:

clear and colourless Precipitate remains
and does not
dissolve
Fe3+ Dropwise: Clear Dropwise: Reddish-
orange solution was brown precipitate
(pale yellow observed should form
solution)
In excess: reddish In excess: Reddish
brown precipitate brown precipitate
was formed does not dissolve
NH4+ Dropwise: No Dropwise: No
 colour change was change should be
(clear and colourless observed observed
solution)
In excess: No colour In excess: No
change was precipitate formed
observed

Title:

Confirmatory Test

Test Observation Expected Inference

Observation

Lead solution + KI

Aluminium solution
+ KI

Lead solution+ HCL ● No

precipitate
was formed

Aluminium solution ● No
+ HCL precipitate
was formed

Lab #
Lab Skill: ORR
Topic: Qualitive Analysis II
Title: Testing for anions

Aim: To observe tests with the following anions: I-, Br-, SO42-, SO32-, CO32-, NO3-

Apparatus: 7 test tubes, 1 test tube rack, white background, 7 droppers, bunsen burner, test
tube holder

Materials: barium chloride, barium nitrate, HCl, nitric acid, copper fillings, anions

DIAGRAM OF APPARATUS:

Procedure:
 1. To a solution containing sulphite ions, barium chloride solution was added.
Observations were recorded
2. To the same test tube, dilute hydrochloric acid was added. Observations were
recorded.
3. Steps 1 and 2 were repeated using solutions containing sulphate ions and carbonate
ions.
4. To a solution containing nitrate ions, concentrated sulphuric acid was added.
Observations were recorded and then copper filings were added. The mixture was
heated and observations were recorded.
5. To a solution containing chloride ions, silver nitrate solution was added and
observations were recorded.
6. To the same test tube, aqueous ammonia was added. Observations were recorded.
7. Steps 5 and 6 were repeated using solutions containing Bromide ions and iodide ions.

Observations:

Test Observations Expected Inference

Observations

SO32- Dropwise: Cloudy

white precipitate was
(Clear and formed
colourless)
In excess: cloudy
white precipitate
remains

SO42- Dropwise: Cloudy

white precipitate was
formed
(Clear and
In excess: Cloudy
colourless) white precipitate
remains

CO32- Dropwise: Cloudy

white precipitate was
(Clear and formed
colourless)
In excess: Cloudy
white precipitate
remains

NO3- Dropwise: White

precipitate was
 (Clear and formed
colourless)
In excess: White
precipitate remains

Cl- Dropwise: Cloudy

white precipitate was
formed
(Clear and
colourless) In excess: Some
precipitate dissolves
with a pale pink
colour

Br - Dropwise: Milky
white precipitate was
formed
(Clear and
In excess: pale
colourless) yellow, milky
precipitate

I- Dropwise: Light
green precipitate was
(Clear and formed
colourless)
In excess: Precipitate
remains and settles
to the bottom

TITLE:

Lab #
Lab Skill: ORR
Topic: Qualitative Analysis III

Aim: To identify unknown ions

Apparatus: test tubes, test tube rack, white background, droppers, bunsen burner, test tube
holder

Materials: Solution X, aqueous sodium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, silver nitrate, barium
chloride, dilute hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, red and blue litmus papers

Diagram of Apparatus:
TITLE:

Procedure and Observations

Test Observations Inferences

1. Solution X was ● X was a yellow clear

observed and divided solution
into 5 equal parts and
steps 2-6 were
performed

2. NaOH(aq) was added ● Turned a dark dirty

dropwise to solution green precipitate
X. The mixture was
divided into 2 parts ● In excess- dark blue
a. NaOH(aq) precipitate
was added in
excess Before heating:
b. Pieces of Blue litmus remains blue
litmus paper Red litmus turns to blue
red and blue
were placed After heating:
at the opening Blue litmus remains blue
of the test Red litmus turns to blue
tube and the
mixture was
heated

3. NH3(aq) was added to Dropwise- blueish green

solution dropwise precipitate was formed
a. In excess
In excess- dark blue
precipitate

4. To solution X a small ● After AgNO3(aq) it

portion AgNO3(aq) and was remained the same
observed, then followed by colour
the addition of aqueous ● Excess- brown
NH3(aq) precipitate
● After aqueous NH3-
turned black

5. BaCl2(aq) was added and Dropwise- cloudy white

observed, then followed by precipitate was formed
the addition of dilute In excess- remains as a
 HCl(aq). cloudy white precipitate

After HCl was added- pale

white precipitate was formed

6. H2SO4 was added to ● Becomes clear and

solution X colourless

TITLE-

Sources of Error
Precautions
Conclusions

Reflection

Lab #
Lab Skill: ORR and AI
Topic: Redox and Electrochemistry
Title: Electrolysis of Sodium Bromide

Aim: To investigate the electrolysis of saturated sodium bromide solution

Apparatus: beaker, connecting wires with alligator clips, 2 retort stands and clamps, 9 volts
battery, graphite rods

Materials: saturated solution of sodium bromide

Diagram of Apparatus:

Procedure:
1. The ammeter, graphite rods and battery were connected as shown and the circuit
diagrammed.
2. Graphite electrodes in clamps connected to separate retort stands.
3. The electrodes were lowered into the saturated solution of sodium bromide and
immediately the stop clock was started and timed for 2 minutes
 4. The current reading from the ammeter and any observations which occurred at each
electrode were recorded.

Results:
Current reading on ammeter:

Electrode Observations Inference

Anode ● Half equation

Cathode ● Half equation

Title-

Data Analysis:

1. Identify the type of electrode used

● graphite
2. State the ions present in the electrolyte.
- Na+ and Br -
- H+ and O2-

3. Identify the products formed at each electrode

4. Calculate the quantity of electricity passed for 2 minutes

5. Calculate the mass of product formed at each electrode .