CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL GUIDE; 2024 SERIES

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CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL GUIDE; 2018 SERIES
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL;
i. To test if the student is able to select & handle apparatus for use in an experimental work
ii. To test if the student is able to use his/her theoretical understanding of chemistry to make
accurate observations and draw conclusions from those observations
iii. To test if the student is able to make accurate measurements
AREAS COMMONLY TESTED IN PRACTICAL;
1. Qualitative analysis (organic & inorganic)
2. Quantitative analysis
3. Graphical work
A) QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
Refers to the process of carrying out chemical tests on substances with the sole aim of
identifying them
TO BE ABLE TO GET GOOD RESULTS;
a) Accurately identify the test reagents
b) Identify what these reagents test
c) Predict the expected results

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 I. INORGANIC
Test for cations (12 cations involved; Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Zn2+,
Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ & Fe3+)
1) Addition of NaOH drop wise until in excess
Observation Inference

White precipitate, soluble in excess Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+ ZAP

OR
White precipitate, insoluble in excess Mg2+, Ca2+
OR
No white precipitate Na+, K+, NH4+ present

OR Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+ ,Mg2+, Ca2+ absent

Blue precipitate, insoluble in excess Cu2+

OR
Green precipitate, insoluble in excess Fe2+
OR
Brown precipitate, insoluble in excess Fe3+

2) Addition of aq. Ammonia drop wise, until in excess

Observation Inference

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 White precipitate, soluble in excess
Zn2+
OR
White precipitate, insoluble in excess Al3+, Pb2+, Mg2+
OR
No white precipitate formed Na+, K+, Ca2+

Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Mg2+ Absent

OR

Light blue precipitate, soluble in excess

to give a deep blue solution Cu2+
OR
Green precipitate, insoluble in excess
OR
Fe2+
Brown precipitate, insoluble in excess

Fe3+

3) Dip a nichrome wire into the solution and burn in a non luminous flame (Flame test
for cations)
Observation Inference

Burns with a yellow flame Na+

OR

Burns with a red flame Ca2+

OR
Burns with a purple flame K+
OR

Burns with a white flame Mg

2+

4) Addition of three drops of H2SO4/Na2SO4/K2SO4

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 Observation Inference

White precipitate Ca2+, Ba2+, Pb2+

5) Addition three drops of HCl/NaCl/KCl

Observation Inference

White precipitate Pb2+, Ag+

6) Addition of two drops of potassium iodide

Observation Inference

Yellow precipitate Pb2+

TEST FOR ANIONS (SIX ANIONS; SO42-, SO32-, CO32-, Cl-, NO3- & HCO3-)

1) Addition of two drops of barium nitrate

Observation Inference

White precipitate SO42-, SO32-, CO32-

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 2) Addition of two of drops of barium nitrate followed by five drops of nitric (V) acid
Observation Inference

White precipitate, dissolves upon SO32-, CO32-

addition of nitric (V) acid

Bubbles of colourless gas produced

OR

White precipitate, insoluble upon

SO42-
addition of nitric (V) acid

3) Addition of two drops of acidified barium nitrate

Observation Inference

White precipitate. SO42-

4) Addition of three drops of lead (II) nitrate

Observation Inference

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 White precipitate. SO42-, SO32-, CO32-, Cl-

5) Addition of two drops of lead (II) nitrate followed by five drops of nitric (V) acid
Observation Inference

White precipitate, soluble on addition of SO32-, CO32-

nitric (V) acid.

Bubbles of colourless gas

OR
White precipitate, insoluble upon SO 2-, Cl-
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addition of nitric (V) acid

6) Addition of two drops of lead (II) nitrate, followed by worming

Observation Inference

White precipitate, soluble upon Cl-

worming

OR

White precipitate, insoluble upon SO42-, SO32-, CO32-

worming

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7) Addition of two drops of acidified lead (II) nitrate
Observation Inference

White precipitate SO42-, Cl-

8) Addition of two drops of acidified potassium dichromate (VI)

Observation Inference

Bubbles of colourless gas, SO32-

Colour of H /K2Cr2O7 turns from orange
+

to green

OR

Bubbles of colourless gas

H+/K2Cr2O7 retains its orange colour CO32-

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9) Take about ½ of the solid provided into a dry test tube and heat it gently then strongly
Observation Inference

Colourless liquid formed on upper The solid is hydrated

cooler parts of the test tube
Blue litmus paper turns red and red Acidic gas produced
litmus paper remains red
Red litmus paper turns blue & blue NH4+
litmus paper remains blue
Bubbles of colourless gas that blows of
a burning splint CO32-/HCO3-

Brown fumes
NO3-
Relights a glowing splint
NO3-
Residue white when cold & yellow
when hot ZnO formed

White solid formed on cooler parts of

test tube Contains a solid that sublime

10) Put the solid into a boiling tube, add about 10ml of distilled water and shake
Observation Inference

Dissolves to form a colourless solution The solid is soluble in water

Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+ absent

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 11) Put the solid into a boiling tube, add water, shake then filter
Observation Inference

Partially dissolves to form a white The solid is a mixture of soluble and insoluble
residue and a Colourless filtrate salts.

Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+ absent both in the residue & in

the filtrate

12) Transfer the residue from filter paper using a spatula into a boiling tube, add about
2 ml of nitric (V) acid
Observation Inference

Bubbles of colourless gas The SO32-, CO32-

solid dissolves

II. ORGANIC
1) Put the solid in a metallic spatula and burn it in a Bunsen burner flame
Observation Inference

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 • Melts,
• Burns with a blue non sooty flame C=C / C= C absent
OR
• Melts,
• Burns with a yellow/sooty flame C=C / C= C

NB; Melts is not a must to be observed, only if

it is observed

2) Put 4 drops of the liquid on a watch glass and burn it

Observation Inference

Burns with a blue non sooty flame

C=C / C= C absent
OR
Burns with a yellow sooty flame C=C / C= C

3) Put the liquid in a boiling tube, add water then shake

Observation Inference

Miscible, forming uniform solution Polar organic compound

4) Put the solid into a boiling tube, add about 10 ml of distilled water and shake
Observation Inference

Dissolves to form a colourless solution Polar organic compound

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 5) Put the solid into a boiling tube, add ethanol & shake
Observation Inference

Dissolves to form a colourless liquid Polar organic compound

6) Determine the pH of the solution provided (Use of universal indicator)

Observation Inference

• pH=6.5 Weakly acidic

OR

• pH=7
Neutral
OR

• pH=2
Strongly acidic
OR

• pH=8 Weakly alkaline

OR

• pH=14 Strongly alkaline

NB; 4 to 6.5 is weakly acidic, 1 to 3 is strongly

acidic, 8 to 10 is weakly alkaline & 11 to 14 is
strongly alkaline. This will help you with other
pH values that have not been included under
the observation column

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7) Add 4 drops of acidified potassium manganate (VII)
Observation Inference

Purple potassium manganate (VII) is

decolorized C=C / C= C , R-OH

8) Add 4 drops of acidified potassium dichromate (VI)

Observation Inference

Potassium dichromate (VI) turns from R-OH

orange to green

NB; used for testing for R-OH, not for double

and triple bonds

9) Addition of 4 drops of bromine water

Observation Inference

Bromine water is decolorized

C=C / C= C

10) Add the solid Na2CO3/NaHCO3 provided into the solution

Observation Inference

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 Bubbles of colourless gas produced H+/R-COOH

CURRENT TRENDS IN SETTING

1) (Compiled from Nyakach girls Chemistry contest 2018 edition)
You are provided with; o Solid Q suspected
to be Zinc Sulphate o 2 M Sodium
hydroxide solution o 2 M Aqueous
ammonia o 2 M Nitric (V) acid o 0.5 M
Barium Chloride solution o Distilled
water

(a) Using the provided chemicals, write down three tests and expected observations to
completely confirm the identity of solid Q
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s) Put
solid Q into a boiling tube, add
10 ml of distilled water, then shake White precipitate, soluble in excess to dissolve solid Q.
Divide the solution formed into 3 portions; To the 1st portion, add sodium hydroxide drop
wise until in excess
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)
To the 2 portion, add aqueous
nd
White precipitate, soluble in excess ammonia drop wise
until in excess
(iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s)
rd
To the 3 portion, add two drops of White precipitate formed upon adding
barium chloride, followed by about barium chloride, the white precipitate
10 ml of nitric (V) acid do not dissolve when acid is added
2) You are provided with; o Solid R suspected to
be Aluminium Chloride o 2 M Sodium
hydroxide solution o Sodium Carbonate solution

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 o 0.5 M Lead (II) nitrate o 0.2 M Barium Nitrate
o Distilled water

(b) Using the provided chemicals, write down four tests and expected observations to
completely confirm the identity of solid R
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s) Put
solid R into a boiling tube, add
10 ml of distilled water, then shake White precipitate, soluble in excess to dissolve solid R.
Divide the solution formed into 4 portions; To the 1st portion, add sodium hydroxide drop
wise until in excess
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)
To the 2 portion, add two drops of
nd
No white precipitate formed Sodium carbonate
(iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s)
To the 3 portion, add two drops of
rd
White precipitate is formed
Lead (II) nitrate
(iv) Test 4 Expected observation(s)
To the 4 portion, add two drops of
th
No white precipitate is formed barium nitrate

3) You are provided with; o Solid S

suspected to be Zinc Sulphate
o 2 M Aqueous ammonia
o Lead (II) nitrate solution
o 2 M Nitric (V) acid o
Barium Nitrate solution o
Distilled water

(a) Using the provided chemicals, write down three tests and expected observations to
completely confirm the identity of solid S
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s) Put
solid S into a boiling tube, add
10 ml of distilled water, then shake White precipitate, soluble in excess to dissolve solid S.
Divide the solution formed into 3 portions; To the 1st portion,
add aqueous ammonia drop wise until in
excess

(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)

Add two drops of lead (II) nitrate White precipitate

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 (iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s)
Add two drops of barium nitrate followed White precipitate, insoluble when by about 10 ml of
nitric (V) acid acid is added

4) You are provided with;

o Solid T suspected to be Lead (II) nitrate

o 2 M Sodium hydroxide solution o
Sodium Chloride solution o Aluminium foil
o Red and blue litmus papers o Distilled
water o Test tube holder o Source of heat
(a) Using the provided chemicals, write down three tests and expected observations to
completely confirm the identity of solid T
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s) Put
solid T into a boiling tube, add
10 ml of distilled water, then shake White precipitate, soluble in excess to dissolve solid T.
Divide the solution formed into 3 portions; To the 1st portion,
add sodium hydroxide drop wise until in
excess
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)
To the 2 portion, add two drops
nd
White precipitate formed of sodium chloride
(iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s) To
the 3rd portion, add 6 drops of Bubbles of colourless gas. Red NaOH,
drop a piece of aluminium litmus paper turns blue and blue foil into
the mixture then heat to boil litmus remains blue and test any gas
produced using litmus papers
NB; The theory behind test 3; aluminium foil reduces NO3- to NH4+ then NH4+ formed
reacts with NaOH to produce NH3 (KCSE 2012)
5) You are provided with; o Solid U suspected to be
Magnesium Sulphate o 2 M Sodium hydroxide
solution o 2 M Aqueous ammonia o 0.5 M
Barium Nitrate solution o 2 M Nitric (V) acid
o Distilled water

(a) Using the provided chemicals, write down three tests and expected observations to
completely confirm the identity of solid U

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 (i) Test 1 Expected observation(s) Put
solid U into a boiling tube, add
10 ml of distilled water, then shake White precipitate, insoluble in excess to dissolve solid U.
Divide the solution formed into 3 portions; To the 1st portion, add sodium hydroxide drop wise
until in excess
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)
To the 2 portion, add aqueous
nd
White precipitate, insoluble in excess ammonia drop
wise until in excess

(iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s)

rd
To the 3 portion, add 2 drops of barium White precipitate formed which do not
nitrate followed by addition of about dissolve when the acid is added
10 ml of nitric (V) acid

NB; Forget about barium when using NaOH and aqueous ammonia drop wise until in excess, a mention of
Ba2+ will be treated as a contradictory ion (Refer KCSE 2015). This will help test 1 be easier to understand.

6) (Compiled from KCSE 2017)

You are provided with; o Solid V suspected to be
Lead (II) carbonate
o Aqueous sodium sulphate o 2 M Aqueous ammonia o 2
M Nitric (V) acid
o Wooden splint

(a) Using the provided chemicals, write down three tests and expected observations to
completely confirm the identity of solid V
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s)
To solid V in a boiling tube, add about Bubbles of colourless gas produced,
5 ml of nitric (V) acid and test for any Burning splint goes off gas
produced using a burning splint. Divide the solution formed into 2 portions for
tests 2 and 3 below
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s) To
the 1st portion, add ammonia solution drop White precipitate insoluble in wise until in
excess excess
(iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s)
To the 2 portion, add 2 drops of sodium
nd
White precipitate formed sulphate

7). (An exam sample; for inorganic compounds)

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You are provided with

• Solid Y, 0.5 g
• Sodium hydroxide
• Aqueous ammonia
• Solution F; aqueous lead (II) Nitrate
• Distilled water in wash bottle
• Source of heat
a) Describe the appearance of solid Y (1 mk)
 Colourless crystals
b) Add about 10 cm3 distilled water to substance Y in a boiling tube and shake
Observation Inference

Dissolves to form a Solid Y is soluble in

colourless solution water
( (

c) Substance Y is suspected to be calcium chloride

From the reagents provided and results in procedure (b) above select and describe three
tests that could be carried out consecutively to confirm whether substance Y is indeed
calcium chloride. Write the tests and expected observations in the spaces provided. Test
1
Description of test Expected observation

Divide the solution formed in (b) into 3 White precipitate, insoluble in excess
portions; To the 1st portion, add sodium
hydroxide drop wise until in excess
(1mk) (1mk)

Test 2
Description of test Expected observation

To the 2nd portion, add ammonia No white precipitate is formed

solution drop wise until in excess
NB; Don’t think about barium ions when
using NaOH & Aq. Ammonia solutions until in
excess
(1mk) (1mk)

Test 3

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 Description of test Expected observation

To the 3rd portion, add 2 drops of lead White precipitate that dissolves upon
(II) nitrate followed by warming warming

(1mk) (1mk)

d) Carry out the tests described in (c) above using substance Y and record the observations and
inferences in the spaces provided.
NB; Remember that you were told that the solid is suspected to be CaCl2, this
gives room for it to be something else as well. Let’s therefore assume that the
actual salt that was provided was MgCl2

i) Test 1

Observation Inference

White precipitate, insoluble in excess Mg2+, Ca2+

(1 mk) (1mk)

ii) Test 2

Observation Inference

White precipitate, insoluble in excess Mg2+

(1 mk) (1mk)

iii) Test 3

Observation Inference

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 White precipitate that dissolves upon Cl-
warming
(1mk) (1mk)

8). You are provided with the following to use in this question;
o Solid X o Bromine water o Distilled water
o Acidified potassium dichromate (VI) solution
Solid X is suspected to be a polar saturated alkanol

a) Describe three consecutive tests you would carry out to confirm whether solid X is a polar
saturated alkanol
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s)
Place solid X into a boiling tube, add Solid X dissolves forming a colourless
5ml of distilled water and shake solution
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)
To a portion of the solution formed in Bromine water is not decolorized
test 1, add 4 drops of bromine water
(iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s) To
another portion of the solution formed Acidified potassium dichromate (VI) in test
1, add 4 drops of acidified potassium solution turns from orange to green dichromate (VI)
solution

9). You are provided with the following to use in this question;

o Solid W o Bromine
water o Distilled water o
Solid sodium carbonate
Solid W is suspected to be a polar unsaturated alkanoic acid

b) Describe three consecutive tests you would carry out to confirm whether solid W is a polar
unsaturated alkanoic acid.
(i) Test 1 Expected observation(s)
Place solid W into a boiling tube, add Solid W dissolves forming a colourless
5ml of distilled water and shake solution
(ii) Test 2 Expected observation(s)
To a portion of the solution formed in Bromine water is decolorized test 1,
add 4 drops of bromine water

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 (iii) Test 3 Expected observation(s)
To another portion of the solution formed Bubbles of colourless gas produced in
test 1, add solid sodium carbonate

10). (Full exam format. Compiled from KISIOMI Chemistry joint examinations; 2018)

You are provided with the following to use in this question;

o Solid Z o Bromine water o Distilled water

o Acidified Potassium manganate (VII)
solution
Solid Z is suspected to be a polar unsaturated organic compound

(a) Describe three consecutive tests you would carry out to confirm whether solid Z is polar
and unsaturated.
i) Test I
Description of Test Expect Observation
Place solid Z into a boiling tube, add 5ml Solid Z dissolves forming a colourless
of distilled water and shake solution
(½mk) (½mk)

ii) Test 2
Description of Test Expect Observation
To a portion of the solution formed in potassium manganate (VII) is deolourized
test 1, add 4 drops of acidified potassium
manganate (VII)
(1mk) (1mk)

iii) Test 3
Description of Test Expect Observation
To another portion of the solution formed Bromine water is decolourized
in test 1, add 4 drops of bromine water
(½mk) (½mk)

(b) Carry out the tests outlined in part (a) and record the observations and inferences
i)

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 Test I Observation Inferences
Solid Z dissolves forming a Polar organic compound
colourless solution
(½mk) (½mk)

(ii)

Test 2 Observation Inferences

Potassium manganate (VII)
decolourizes C=C / C= C , R-OH
(½mk) (1mk)

(iii)
Test 3 Observation Inferences
Bromine water decolourized
C=C / C= C
(1mk) (1mk)

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
CALCULATIONS
CONDITIONS;
• Students MUST transfer the values intact, that is, if the answer above is to 4 d.p.
and should be used in the subsequent working, therefore the student cannot round
it off in the air and use it when it is now 3 d.p
• Answers to at least 4 decimal places is OK either rounded off or truncated
(chopped off)
• Presenting two different workings attracts full penalty on that particular question
• RAM & RFM should not have units on the answer

GRAPH WORK
CONDITIONS;
• The scale chosen should be able to accommodate all the points in the table and it
should have consistent scale intervals
• Label, units are not necessary as units would attract penalties e.g., just stating
Time is sufficient, not a must to state Time (seconds)

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 • Scale should be big enough to cover at least ½ of the grid provided, that is, the
student should ensure that he/she uses at least ½ of the big boxes on the vertical &
on the horizontal axes
• Students should avoid committing zero at the origin; it is safer that way
• Total coincidence of ruler with grid lines when doing y- and x-axes lines, extra
keenness.
• Points should be plotted intact ie, as they appear on the table
• The curve/line should pass through the initial plot, as this was the first experiment
done under a lot of purity.
• Use broken lines when reading from a graph
• Temperature graphs (temperature axis) are normally broken but not ∆T graphs.

SOLUBILITY & SOLUBILITY CURVES

Solubility; Maximum mass of solute required to saturate 100 g of solvent at a given temperature
Solubility curve; a graph of solubility against temperature for a particular solute

EXPECTED SHAPES FOR SOLUBILITY CURVES;

NB;
i. Do a curve of best fit, don’t use a ruler & don’t look for points
ii. No extrapolation of a curve (don’t extend a curve)
iii. Temperature values in the table of whole numbers are better than 1dp

ENERGY CHANGES (THERMOCHEMISTRY)

TABLE FOR THERMOMETER READINGS

o Thermometer readings of whole numbers are convenient and safe

1) ENTHALPY OF SOLUTION

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Definition; the enthalpy change that occurs when one mole of a substance completely dissolves
in water

EXPECTED SHAPES FOR ENTHALPY OF SOLUTION

a) For exothermic processes

When no break in temperature readings When there is break in temperature readings

TABLE WITH A BROCKEN READING

TABLE WITHOUT A BROCKEN READING

b) For endothermic processes

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 When no break in temperature readings When there is a break in temperature readings

2) ENTHALPY OF DISPLACEMENT
Definition; the enthalpy change that occurs when one mole of a substance is displaced from a
solution of its ions

EXPECTED SHAPES FOR ENTHALPY OF DISPLACEMENT

a) For exothermic processes

When no break in temperature readings When there is break in temperature readings

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 b) For endothermic processes

When no break in temperature readings When no break in temperature readings

3) ENTHALPY OF NEUTRALIZATION
Definition; the enthalpy change that occurs when one mole of H+ ion from an acid is completely
neutralized by an alkali to form one mole of water

EXPECTED SHAPES FOR ENTHALPY OF NEUTRALIZATION

For exothermic processes For endothermic processes

NB; V1 is the volume of the acid/base that completely neutralize the other
∆H= mc∆T

RATES OF REACTION;
Definition; Change in concentration of reactants/products per unit time

RATES TABLE
• Time readings of whole numbers are better than 1 or 2 dp readings
• values should be to 3 dp & consistent unless for cases where values work out to less
than 3 dp
• Temperature or time readings in the table must either increase or decrease continuously

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EXPECTED SHAPES FOR RATES
The shape can either be a straight line or a smooth curve depending on the quantities
being plotted e.g,
(i) Effect of concentration on the rate of reaction is a straight line from origin

(ii) Effect of temperature on the rate of reaction is a smooth curve

COMPILED BY ABUNA O. D

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