Introduction
I will be carrying out two main tests- one of things I will be testing for is halide
ions that may be present in solid salts. I will do this by adding sulphuric acid to
the solid and then measuring the gases released- if either chlorine or fluorine is
present then an acidic fume will be produced and this can be measured by using
universal indicator paper which will turn towards the red end of the spectrum.
Moreover, if bromine is present then there will also be brown bromine vapour
being produced, whilst iodine will evolve a purple vapour as well as fumes of
hydrogen iodide. This test will be carried out in a fume cupboard as a safety
precaution.
My other test will be for halide ions in a solution rather than a solid and this
consists of a two-step process. Firstly, an amount of the solid substance that is
going to be tested will be dissolved in a solution and then this solution is going to
be mixed with nitric acid to remove any unwanted ions that may interfere with
the test. Then, silver nitrate will be added to the solution- if the solution remains
clear then fluorine is present- if the solution forms a white precipitate then
chlorine is present- if the solution forms a pale cream precipitate then bromine is
present- if iodine is present then a pale yellow precipitate will form. It may be
difficult to accurately differentiate between coloured solutions produced so
another test is carried out to confirm the potential halide present. In this test
ammonia solution is added to the solution at different concentrations. Chloride
ions will dissolve in a weak concentration of ammonia solution, whilst Iodide ions
are insoluble in any concentration of ammonia solution (so a solid precipitate will
remain) and bromide ions will only dissolve in concentrated ammonia solution
Method
Test for halide ions in solution
1. Measure 1ml of the unknown solution using a pipette and then transfer this
into a test tube
2. Measure 1ml of dilute nitric acid (0.5M )and then transfer this into the same
test tube containing the unknown solution
3. Add 10 drops of silver nitrate solution (0.05M) using a teat pipette to the
unknown solution
4. Record results if the solution contained any fluoride then no precipitate will
form; if the solution contains any chloride then a white precipitate will form; if
the solution contains any bromide then a cream precipitate will form; if the
solution contains any iodide then a yellow precipitate will form
5. To confirm the halide present add 1ml of dilute ammonia solution (0.5M)
(measure using pipette) and record observations- if chloride ions are present
then the precipitate will dissolve and the solution will become clear
6. If the solution has not became clear then add 1ml of concentrated ammonia
solution (1M) (measure using pipette) and record observations- if bromide
ions are present then the precipitate will dissolve, but if the solution still
contains the precipitate then iodide ions are present
7. Repeat this 2 more times and record results, then decided which halide is
present
Test for halide ions in a solid
1. Set up fume cupboard and carry out experiment inside of it
2. Measure 5g of the unknown mass using a weighting scale and spatulacontain the measured solid within a dry test tube
3. Add 5 ml of sulphuric acid (1M) with caution and a gas will be released
4. Test the gas released using universal indicator paper which will turn towards
the red end of the colour spectrum if an acidic gas is evolved which indicates
that chloride ions were present
5. Repeat the experiment (steps 1,2 and 3)and test the gas with filter paper that
has been soaked in potassium dichromate which will turn from orange to
green if sulphur dioxide is present- in which case either bromide or iodide ions
were present
6. Finally, repeat the experiment (steps 1,2 and 3) and test the gas released by
feeding it through a pipe into a 5 ml solution of lead nitrate (1M); if the
solution turns cloudy then potassium iodide was present.
Equipment
Dilute Nitric Acid (0.5M)
Sulphuric Acid Solution (1M)
Dilute Ammonia Solution (0.5M)
Concentrated Ammonia Solution (1M)
Unknown halide solution
Unknown potassium-halide containing mass
Lead Nitrate (1M)
Potassium Dichromate Soaked Paper
Silver Nitrate Solution (0.05M)
Ammonia Solution
Universal Indictor Paper
Test Tube
Spatula
Digital Weighing Scale
Fume Cupboard
Teat Pipette
Beaker
Risk Assessment
Risk
Nitric Acid- corrosive
Precaution
The acid will be dilute so
it will not be as
hazardous as sulphuric
acid- however I will make
sure that I am careful
when using the nitric acid
by making sure that he
acid is securely contained
In event of occurrence
Immediately rinse hands
with cold water to dilute
the acid/silver nitrate so
it has less potential to
cause harm to the region
contacted. Also, I will use
a fume cupboard to make
sure all the gases
Sulphuric Acid- very
corrosive/toxic
Silver Nitrate- irritant/
strong oxidiser
Concentrated Ammonia
Solution- corrosive/ toxic
and be caution when
transferring it to
solutions
Will violently react with
water, so I will ensure
that the test tubes that
are uses to contain the
acid are dry; also, I will
use a fume cupboard to
make sure all the gases
produced are contained
I will be careful when
handling the solution and
transferring it
I will make sure that I
wear eye protection
when using the solution,
so my eyes are protected
from contact
produced are contained
