Introduction to Qualitative Analysis
Introduction to Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative analysis involves the examination of colour, flame test, the effect of heat and
confirmatory test for cation and anions.
Cations are metallic ions e,g. Ca2+, Pb2+, Al3+, Cu2+, Fe2+ , Fe3+, etc
Rules in qualitative analysis
1. Your test solution should not be diluted too much
2. Use only a small quantity of reagents
Examination of colour and physical state of specimen
Substance colour physical state
1. Sulphur! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! yellow! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !solid
2. Copper(ii)oxide! ! ! ! ! black!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! solid
3. Iodine! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! dark brown! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! solid
4. Nitrogen iv oxide !!!! reddish-brown! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !gas
5. Mercury! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !white! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! liquid
Flame test
1. Deep green colour of flame indicates the presence of copper
2. Deep yellow colour indicates the presence of sodium
3. Brick red indicates calcium.
Test for cations
The Cations are Ca2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Fe2+. Fe3+, Cu2+, NH4 +
