IGCSE · Chemistry 0620 · Experimental techniques & analysis

Identification of ions & gases: IGCSE Chemistry questions with answers

Free Identification of ions & gases questions for IGCSE Chemistry (0620), part of Experimental techniques & analysis. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Identification of ions & gases practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which gas relights a glowing splint?

  1. A carbon dioxide
  2. B chlorine
  3. C oxygen
  4. D hydrogen
Show answer

Answer: C

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

Aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to a solution of salt X until in excess. The result is: white precipitate, soluble in excess giving a colourless solution. Which cation is present in X?

  1. A Zn2+
  2. B Cu2+
  3. C Fe3+
  4. D Ca2+
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 3Multiple choice · 1 mark

A gas turns damp red litmus paper blue.
Which gas is it?

  1. A ammonia
  2. B hydrogen
  3. C chlorine
  4. D oxygen
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 4Structured · 6 marksA* challenge

Tests for anions are carried out on solutions.

(a)

Describe the test for carbonate ions and the result.

[2]
(b)

Describe the test for nitrate ions.

[3]
(c)

Describe the test for sulfite ions.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)add acid; fizzing, limewater milky
add dilute acid B1
effervescence and the gas turns limewater milky B1
2
(b)NaOH + aluminium foil, warm; ammonia turns red litmus blue
add aqueous sodium hydroxide and aluminium foil B1
warm B1
ammonia given off turns damp red litmus blue B1
3
(c)acidified KMnO₄ decolourised
Any 1 of: add acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII); purple to colourless B1
1
Question 5Structured · 9 marksA* challenge

Two salts, A and B, are tested. The results are shown in Table 5.1.

testsalt Asalt B
aqueous sodium hydroxide added, then in excess (warmed if no precipitate)green precipitate, insoluble in excessno precipitate; on warming, a gas that turns damp red litmus blue
anion testwhite precipitate with acidified aqueous barium nitratewhite precipitate with acidified aqueous silver nitrate
Table 5.1
(a)

Identify salt A and salt B. Give their formulae.

[4]
(b)

Aqueous ammonia is used instead of aqueous sodium hydroxide for the cation test on each salt. Describe what is seen for copper(II) ions with excess aqueous ammonia.

[2]
(c)

Explain why the anion tests with silver nitrate and barium nitrate are acidified with nitric acid.

[1]
(d)

Describe how a flame test would distinguish a lithium compound from a potassium compound.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)A: iron(II) sulfate, FeSO4; B: ammonium chloride, NH4Cl
A cation and anion: iron(II) sulfate B1
A formula FeSO4 B1
B cation and anion: ammonium chloride B1
B formula NH4Cl B1
4
(b)light blue precipitate, soluble in excess, giving a dark blue solution
correct precipitate B1
correct behaviour in excess with colour B1
2
(c)To remove carbonate ions, which would also give a white precipitate
removes carbonate (and other) ions that would give a false positive B1
1
(d)Lithium gives a red flame; potassium gives a lilac flame
lithium red B1
potassium lilac B1
2
Question 6Structured · 3 marks

A student tests an unknown solution X.

(a)

Aqueous sodium hydroxide gives a green precipitate. Identify the cation.

[1]
(b)

Acidified aqueous barium nitrate gives a white precipitate. Identify the anion.

[1]
(c)

Name compound X.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)Fe²⁺
iron(II), Fe²⁺ B1
1
(b)SO₄²⁻
sulfate, SO₄²⁻ B1
1
(c)iron(II) sulfate
iron(II) sulfate B1
1

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