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Experiment No. N

Analysis of Magnesium Nitrate (Mg(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
Confirmatory Test
If group-V is absent, add disodium hydrogen phosphate solution and scratch the inner walls with a glass rodA white crystalline precipitate of magnesium ammonium phosphate is formedMg²⁺ is confirmed

Result

The given salt contains Mg²⁺ ions as cation and NO₃⁻ ions as anion. The salt is Mg(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.