Notebook Theme

Experiment No. N

Analysis of Barium Nitrate (Ba(NO₃)₂)

Aim

To determine the presence of anion and cation in the given salt

Preliminary Test

  • Odor: Odorless
  • Texture: Crystalline
  • Color: White
  • Solubility: Soluble in water

Test of Anion

ExperimentObservationInference
Add conc. H₂SO₄ to the solution and boil with a few copper turnings/chipsOn heating, brown fumes (NO₂) are evolved in excess and the solution becomes blueNO₃⁻ may be present
Confirmatory Test
Brown Ring Test
Take 1 mL of salt solution, add 2 mL conc. H₂SO₄, cool, then add freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution along the sides
Brown ring is formed at the junction of the two solutionsNO₃⁻ is confirmed

Test of Cation

ExperimentObservationInference
Original solution + Dilute HClNo reactionGroup I cation is absent
Original solution + Dilute HCl + H₂S gas (with NH₄Cl)No reactionGroup II cation is absent
Original solution + Dilute HCl + NH₄Cl solid + NH₄OHNo reactionGroup III cation is absent
Original solution + NH₄Cl + NH₄OH + (NH₄)₂CO₃White ppt is formedGroup V cation may be present
Confirmatory Test
Potassium Chromate Test
Dissolve the white precipitate in dilute acetic acid and add potassium chromate
Yellow precipitateBa²⁺ is confirmed

Result

The given salt contains Ba²⁺ ions as cation and NO₃⁻ ions as anion. The salt is Ba(NO₃)₂.

Precautions

  1. Handle the chemicals with care.
  2. Don't use excess of chemicals.
  3. Keep the mouth of the test tube away from the face.