1. A series of tests were performed on a white salt to identify its cation and anion. 2. Preliminary tests indicated the presence of ammonium. Further tests ruled out the presence of other common cations. 3. Tests for the anion ruled out common anions like chloride and sulfate. A confirmatory test using ammonium molybdate produced a yellow precipitate, indicating the presence of phosphate. 4. Final analysis revealed the salt to be ammonium phosphate, with ammonium as the cation and phosphate as the anion.

1. 1
DATE SPACE
SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE GIVEN SIMPLE SALT - 8
Aim: To identify the anion and cation present in the given simple salt by performing suitable tests.
Step – I Preliminary tests for cations and anions
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Colour
The colour of the given salt is noted.
White May be Ammonium (NH4
+
),
Lead (Pb2+
),
Aluminium (Al3+
),
Zinc (Zn2+
),
Calcium (Ca2+
),
Strontium (Sr2+
),
Barium (Ba2+
) or
Magnesium (Mg2+
).
BLACK TRIMAX
PEN
BLACK TRIMAX PEN
BLACK TRIMAX PEN
BLACK TRIMAX PEN
BLUE TRIMAX PEN
BLUE TRIMAX PEN
BLUE TRIMAX PEN

2. 2
2.Solubility test
A Pinch of salt is made into solution
with Water
(*water means distilled water only)
Soluble May be chloride (Cl-
),
bromide (Br-
),
iodide (I-
),
sulphate (SO4
2-
) ,
nitrate (NO3
-
),
phosphate (PO4
3-
),
oxalate (C2O4
2-
) or
acetate (CH3COO-
) or
May be Ammonium Carbonate
(NH4)2CO3.
3. Action of heat
A pinch of salt (dry) is strongly heated in a
dry boiling test tube.
(*No water/wetness in the salt and test tube)
White sublimate formed on cooling
the walls of the test tube.
May be Ammonium.
4. Flame test
A pinch of salt is made into a paste with few
drops of Conc. HCI acid in a watch glass and
introduced into the non-luminous part of
Bunsen flame using loop holder.
No characteristic flame. Absence of
Cu2+
, Ca2+
, Sr2+
and Ba2+
.

3. 3
5. Ash test
A small piece of filter paper is soaked into a
mixture of given salt solution and Cobalt
Nitrate solution and introduced into Bunsen
flame and ignited.
(*put off the fire completely & dispose in trash bin)
No characteristic coloured ash. Absence of
Al3+
, Zn2+
and Mg2+
.
6. Action of Sodium Hydroxide
To 1 ml of salt solution NaOH is added and
heated.
A colourless pungent smelling gas is
evolved which turns red litmus
paper blue and gives dense
white fumes with a rod dipped in
conc. HCl.
Presence of Ammonium.

4. 4
Step – II. Identification of Anions (Acid Radical)
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Action of dilute Sulphuric acid
To 1 or 2 ml of dilute H2SO4, a small amount
of salt is added.
(*Do not use large quantity of dilute acid, *Do not heat the salt
with dilute acid, * dil.HCl can also be used)
No characteristic changes. Absence of carbonate and
sulphide.
2. Action of Conc. sulphuric acid
To 1 or 2 ml of Conc. H2SO4, a small amount
of salt is added.
No characteristic changes Absence of chloride, bromide,
iodide, nitrate and oxalate.
3. Action of Manganese dioxide.
To 0.1 g of salt, a pinch of manganese dioxide
and conc. Sulphuric acid are added and
heated.
No characteristic changes Absence of chloride.
4. Copper turnings test:
A small quantity of the salt is heated with
Copper turnings and conc. Sulphuric acid.
No reddish brown vapours Absence of Nitrate.
5. Chromyl Chloride test
To pinch of salt, Potassium
Dichromate salt and conc. Sulphuric acid are
added and heated.
No characteristic changes Absence of Chloride.
6.Ammonium Molybdate Test
To 1 ml of salt solution, conc. Nitric acid is
added and heated strongly until fume ceases.
Then Ammonium Molybdate salt was added
and boiled.
Canary yellow precipitate. Presence of Phosphate.

5. 5
7. Ethyl Acetate Test
To 1 ml of the salt solution, 1 ml of ethanol,
few drops of Conc. Sulphuric acid were
added and heated over a water bath. Then
the mixture is poured into a beaker with
excess sodium Carbonate solution.
No pleasant fruity smell of ester Absence of Acetate.
8. Barium Chloride Test
To a few drops of the salt solution or extract,
dil. HCl and Barium Chloride soluble are
added.
No White Precipitate Absence of sulphate.
Ethanol was missed in the
previous salts, please include,
it’s a mistake from my side.
& compulsorily - Heated over
water bath

6. 6
CONFIMATORY TEST FOR ANION
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Phosphate – Ammonium molybdate Test
To a few drops of the salt solution, conc.
Nitric acid is added and heated strongly until
fume ceases.
Then Ammonium Molybdate salt was added
and boiled.
Canary yellow precipitate.
Presence of Phosphate (PO4
3-
) is
confirmed.

7. 7
TEST FOR CATIONS
Cation Group analysis ( Group Separation)
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Zero Group:
To 1ml of the salt solution, few drops
of Nessler's reagent and excess of sodium
hydroxide are added and heated slightly.
{* Nessler’s Reagent is K2[HgI4] - Potassium
tetraiodomercurate(II)}
A Reddish brown precipitate was
obtained.
Presence of Ammonium (NH4
+
)
(Zero Group)

8. 8
CONFIRMATORY TEST FOR CATION
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Ammonium
To 1ml of the salt solution, few drops
of Nessler's reagent and excess of sodium
hydroxide are added and heated slightly.
{* Nessler’s Reagent is K2[HgI4] - Potassium
tetraiodomercurate(II)}
A Reddish brown precipitate was
obtained.
Presence of Ammonium (NH4
+
)
Is confirmed.
RESULT
The given salt contains
Basic Radical is Ammonium (NH4
+
)
Acid Radical is Phosphate (PO4
3-
)
Therefore, the given salt is Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4