13.2.5

Testing for Aqueous Cations

Test yourself

Testing for Aqueous Cations

Aqueous solutions of metal compounds contain metal ions. We can test what these metal ions are when they react with a sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) to produce different coloured precipitates.

Illustrative background for Tests for cationsIllustrative background for Tests for cations ?? "content

Tests for cations

  • Copper (II) ions (Cu2+) form a blue precipitate when reacted with NaOH.
  • Iron (II) ions (Fe2+) form a green precipitate when reacted with NaOH.
  • Iron(III) ions (Fe3+) form a brown precipitate when reacted with NaOH.
Illustrative background for Testing for ammonium ionsIllustrative background for Testing for ammonium ions ?? "content

Testing for ammonium ions

  • Ammonium (NH4+) ions form water and ammonia when reacted with NaOH. Ammonia gas evolves out of the solutions.
  • You then test for ammonia gas which will turn damp red litmus paper from red to blue.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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