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2021 O Level Chem P1 Q3 — Qualitative Analysis / Tests for Cations Solution

Qualitative Analysis / Tests for Cations 2021 O Level Pure Chemistry · Paper 1 · Q3

Question

An aqueous solution of a salt is tested. When a few drops of aqueous sodium hydroxide are added, a white precipitate forms, which dissolves in excess aqueous sodium hydroxide. When a few drops of aqueous ammonia are added, a white precipitate forms, which remains in excess aqueous ammonia. What is the cation in the salt?
  1. AAl³⁺
  2. BCa²⁺
  3. CNH₄⁺
  4. DZn²⁺
Correct answer: A

Video Solution

Explanation

Answer: A (Al³⁺). A white precipitate with aqueous sodium hydroxide that dissolves in excess narrows the cation down to aluminium (Al³⁺) or zinc (Zn²⁺), because both Al(OH)₃ and Zn(OH)₂ are amphoteric and redissolve in excess NaOH.

The deciding test is aqueous ammonia. Aluminium hydroxide is a white precipitate that is insoluble in excess ammonia, so the precipitate remains. Zinc hydroxide, by contrast, dissolves in excess ammonia to give a colourless solution. Since the precipitate remains in excess ammonia, the cation is aluminium, Al³⁺.

Ca²⁺ gives no precipitate with ammonia (and only a faint white precipitate with NaOH that does not dissolve); NH₄⁺ gives no precipitate with either reagent.

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