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2021 O Level Chem P1 Q17 — Acids, Bases and Amphoteric Hydroxides Solution

Acids, Bases and Amphoteric Hydroxides 2021 O Level Pure Chemistry · Paper 1 · Q17

Question

Beryllium hydroxide is an amphoteric white solid. Which reagent can be used to distinguish beryllium hydroxide from solid calcium hydroxide? 1 HCl(aq), 2 HNO₃(aq), 3 KOH(aq), 4 NaOH(aq).
  1. A1 or 2
  2. B1 or 3
  3. C2 or 4
  4. D3 or 4
Correct answer: D

Video Solution

Explanation

Answer: D (3 or 4). Beryllium hydroxide is amphoteric, so it reacts with both acids and alkalis. Calcium hydroxide is basic, so it reacts with acids only. To distinguish them you must use an alkali.

With aqueous KOH (reagent 3) or aqueous NaOH (reagent 4), the amphoteric beryllium hydroxide dissolves to give a clear solution, while calcium hydroxide does not react — a clear difference.

The two acids, HCl (1) and HNO₃ (2), both dissolve both hydroxides, so neither acid distinguishes them. Only an alkali works, so the answer is 3 or 4.

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