The IGCSE Chemistry ARP (Alternative to Practical) Paper 6 assesses students on their
understanding of practical laboratory work. The paper typically includes questions related to
tests and observations that can be made in the laboratory, especially those related to qualitative
analysis, identification of substances, and methods of preparation.
Below is a list of common tests and explanations that might be required in the IGCSE Chemistry
ATP Paper 6:
1. Test for Gases
● Hydrogen Gas:
○ Test: Place a lit splint near the gas.
○ Result: A 'pop' sound is heard if hydrogen is present.
● Oxygen Gas:
○ Test: Insert a glowing splint into the test tube.
○ Result: The splint will reignite if oxygen is present.
● Carbon Dioxide Gas:
○ Test: Bubble the gas through limewater (Ca(OH)₂).
○ Result: Limewater turns cloudy (forms calcium carbonate, CaCO₃).
● Chlorine Gas:
○ Test: Use litmus paper (blue or red).
○ Result: Chlorine gas will bleach the litmus paper, turning it white.
● Ammonia Gas:
○ Test: Place damp red litmus paper in the gas.
○ Result: The paper turns blue due to the basic nature of ammonia.
2. Test for Cations (Metal Ions)
● Ammonium Ion (NH₄⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and warm.
○ Result: Ammonia gas is evolved (smell of ammonia).
● Copper(II) Ion (Cu²⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
○ Result: A blue precipitate of copper(II) hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂) forms.
● Iron(II) Ion (Fe²⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
○ Result: A green precipitate of iron(II) hydroxide (Fe(OH)₂) forms.
● Iron(III) Ion (Fe³⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
○ Result: A brown precipitate of iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)₃) forms.
● Calcium Ion (Ca²⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
○ Result: A white precipitate of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) forms, which is
insoluble in excess.
● Magnesium Ion (Mg²⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
○ Result: A white precipitate of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) forms, which is
insoluble in excess.
3. Test for Anions (Non-metal Ions)
● Chloride Ion (Cl⁻):
○ Test: Add dilute nitric acid (HNO₃) followed by silver nitrate (AgNO₃).
○ Result: A white precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl) forms.
● Bromide Ion (Br⁻):
○ Test: Add dilute nitric acid (HNO₃) followed by silver nitrate (AgNO₃).
○ Result: A cream precipitate of silver bromide (AgBr) forms.
● Iodide Ion (I⁻):
○ Test: Add dilute nitric acid (HNO₃) followed by silver nitrate (AgNO₃).
○ Result: A yellow precipitate of silver iodide (AgI) forms.
● Sulfate Ion (SO₄²⁻):
○ Test: Add dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) followed by barium chloride (BaCl₂).
○ Result: A white precipitate of barium sulfate (BaSO₄) forms.
● Carbonate Ion (CO₃²⁻):
○ Test: Add dilute acid (HCl).
○ Result: Effervescence occurs, and carbon dioxide gas is evolved (test with
limewater to confirm).
● Nitrate Ion (NO₃⁻):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and aluminum foil, then warm gently.
○ Result: Ammonia gas is evolved, indicating the presence of nitrate ions.
4. Tests for Organic Compounds
● Alkene (C=C):
○ Test: Add bromine water (Br₂).
○ Result: The orange-brown bromine water decolorizes in the presence of an
alkene.
● Alcohol:
○ Test: Add sodium metal.
○ Result: Hydrogen gas is evolved with a fizzing sound.
● Aldehyde (e.g., Ethanal):
○ Test: Add Tollen’s reagent (silver nitrate solution with ammonia) and warm gently.
○ Result: A silver mirror forms inside the test tube if an aldehyde is present.
● Carboxylic Acid (e.g., Ethanoic Acid):
○ Test: Add sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃).
○ Result: Effervescence occurs, indicating the release of carbon dioxide gas.
● Ketone:
○ Test: Use 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH).
○ Result: A yellow or orange precipitate forms in the presence of a ketone.
5. Tests for Water
● Anhydrous Copper(II) Sulfate:
○ Test: Add a few drops of liquid to anhydrous copper(II) sulfate.
○ Result: The white powder turns blue in the presence of water.
● Cobalt(II) Chloride Paper:
○ Test: Place a piece of cobalt(II) chloride paper in contact with the substance.
○ Result: The blue paper turns pink in the presence of water.
6. Flame Tests
● Lithium:
○ Flame Color: Crimson red.
● Sodium:
○ Flame Color: Yellow.
● Potassium:
○ Flame Color: Lilac.
● Calcium:
○ Flame Color: Orange-red.
● Copper(II):
○ Flame Color: Green.
7. Precipitation Reactions
● Lead(II) Ions (Pb²⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium iodide (NaI).
○ Result: A yellow precipitate of lead(II) iodide (PbI₂) forms.
● Zinc Ion (Zn²⁺):
○ Test: Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and heat.
○ Result: A white precipitate of zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)₂) forms, which dissolves in
excess NaOH to form a colorless solution.
1. Overview of Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)
● Duration: 1 hour
● Weightage: 20% of the total grade
● Purpose: Tests practical skills, observations, and analysis without performing actual
experiments.
2. Important Topics Covered
(A) Lab Equipment & Apparatus
● Beaker: Holding liquids.
● Burette: Precise measurement of liquids (used in titration).
● Pipette: Transfers a fixed volume of liquid.
● Conical Flask: Mixing chemicals without spilling.
● Test Tube: Holding small reactions.
● Evaporating Dish: Evaporating solutions.
● Bunsen Burner: Heating.
● Measuring Cylinder: Measuring liquids.
● Tripod & Gauze: Supports beakers when heating.
● Thermometer: Measures temperature.
Tips for Apparatus-Related Questions
● Identify equipment based on diagrams.
● Choose the correct measuring tool for an experiment (e.g., burette for titration).
● Describe safety precautions (e.g., wearing goggles, tying back hair).
(B) Chemical Analysis – Identifying Ions & Gases
(1) Test for Gases
Gas Test Result
Hydrogen (H2H_2) Lighted splint in gas Burns with a squeaky pop
Oxygen (O2O_2) Glowing splint in gas Splint relights
Carbon Dioxide Bubble through limewater Turns milky/cloudy
(CO2CO_2)
Chlorine (Cl2Cl_2) Damp litmus paper Bleaches it white
Ammonia (NH3NH_3) Damp red litmus paper Turns blue
Sulfur Dioxide Acidified potassium manganate(VII) Turns from purple to
(SO2SO_2) colorless
(2) Flame Tests (Identifying Metal Ions)
Metal Ion Flame Color
Sodium Yellow
(Na+Na^+)
Potassium Lilac
(K+K^+)
Calcium Brick-red
(Ca2+Ca^{2+})
Copper Blue-green
(Cu2+Cu^{2+})
Lithium (Li+Li^+) Crimson red
(3) Tests for Anions (Negative Ions)
Anion Test Observation
Carbonates Add dilute acid & bubble gas Fizzing, CO₂ produced, limewater
(CO32−CO_3^{2 through limewater turns milky
-})
Sulphates Add barium chloride & HCl White precipitate
(SO42−SO_4^{2-
})
Chlorides Add silver nitrate & nitric acid White precipitate
(Cl−Cl^-)
Bromides Add silver nitrate & nitric acid Cream precipitate
(Br−Br^-)
Iodides (I−I^-) Add silver nitrate & nitric acid Yellow precipitate
(C) Salt Preparation Methods
1. Soluble Salt (Acid + Base/Carbonate/Metal)
○ Add excess metal, base, or carbonate to acid.
○ Filter the excess.
○ Evaporate water to form crystals.
2. Soluble Salt (Acid + Alkali – Titration)
○ Add alkali to conical flask.
○ Use indicator (e.g., phenolphthalein).
○ Add acid from burette until neutralized.
○ Evaporate the water to form crystals.
3. Insoluble Salt (Precipitation Reaction)
○ Mix two soluble salt solutions.
○ Forms an insoluble precipitate.
○ Filter, wash, and dry the salt.
(D) Rate of Reaction (Factors & Experiments)
● Factors Affecting Reaction Rate:
○ Concentration: Higher concentration = faster reaction.
○ Surface Area: Smaller particles = faster reaction.
○ Temperature: Higher temperature = faster reaction.
○ Catalyst: Lowers activation energy.
● Common Experiment: Reaction of marble chips (CaCO3CaCO_3) and hydrochloric
acid (HClHCl):
○ Measure gas collected.
○ Change variables (e.g., concentration, temperature).
○ Use a gas syringe or measure mass loss.
(E) Electrolysis
● Electrolysis: Breaking down an ionic compound using electricity.
● Cathode (-): Positive ions (metals, hydrogen) move here.
● Anode (+): Negative ions (non-metals, oxygen) move here.
Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
Electrode Ions Present Substance Formed
Cathode (-) H+H^+ or metal ion H₂ (if metal is more reactive than
hydrogen)
Anode (+) OH−OH^- or O₂ (if halide is absent), halogen if present
non-metal ion
(F) Chromatography (Separating Dyes)
● Mobile phase: Solvent (e.g., water).
● Stationary phase: Filter paper.
● Rf Value Formula: Rf=Distance moved by substanceDistance moved by solventRf =
\frac{\text{Distance moved by substance}}{\text{Distance moved by solvent}}
● Interpretation:
○ Closer Rf values = same substance.
○ Higher Rf = more soluble substance.
3. Exam Tips to Ace Paper 6
✅ Read the question carefully.
✅ Label diagrams properly when drawing equipment.
✅ Use correct scientific terms (e.g., ‘effervescence’ instead of ‘bubbles’).
✅ Justify conclusions in experimental results (e.g., "The gas produced is CO₂ because
✅ Use comparative statements (e.g., "A more concentrated acid increases the rate of
limewater turned milky").
✅ State sources of errors and suggest improvements (e.g., "Using a burette instead of a
reaction").
✅ Memorize all qualitative tests (flame tests, gas tests, ion tests).
measuring cylinder for better accuracy").
✅ Sketch graphs accurately (Label axes & plot points correctly).
✅ State safety precautions (e.g., wear goggles, use fume cupboard for toxic gases).
✅ If stuck, think logically: What would happen in a real lab experiment?
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between accuracy, reliability, and validity?
● Accuracy = How close a result is to the true value.
● Reliability = Consistency of repeated results.
● Validity = Whether the experiment tests the intended variable.
Q2: Why is a control experiment used?
● To compare and ensure that results are due to the variable being tested.
Q3: How do you improve the accuracy of an experiment?
● Use a digital balance instead of an analogue one.
● Use a finer scale (e.g., burette instead of a measuring cylinder).
● Repeat the experiment and take an average.
Final Revision Checklist (Day Before Exam)
✅ Memorize gas tests & ion tests
✅ Revise salt preparation methods
✅ Go through common experimental setups
✅ Practice past paper questions
✅ Stay calm & confident!
Good luck! You've got this! 🎯🔥💯
