Experiment 5 - Qualitative Analysis

Procedure:

Part B - Test for Silver Ions

1. To about 1 mL of 0.1 M silver nitrate, AgNO₃, solution in a test tube add about 1 mL of dilute HCl and mix. Record your observations.
2. Centrifuge and separate the precipitate from the solution.
3. Discard the solution.
4. Add about 2 mL of distilled water and stir to wash the precipitate. Centrifuge and separate the precipitate from the solution. Discard the solution.
5. Add a few drops of concentrated ammonium hydroxide, NH₄OH, (located in the fume hood) to the precipitate and stir. Continue adding the NH₄OH drop-wise and stirring until all the precipitate dissolves. (Less than 20 drops should be required). Record your observations.
6. 
   

   Now add dilute nitric acid, HNO3, until the solution is acidic by placing a small drop of the test tube solution on the blue litmus paper. If the blue litmus paper turns pink the test tube solution is acidic.

   
   

   You should notice that a white precipitate in the test tube. The white precipitate is silver chloride, AgCl, which confirms the presence of Ag+ ions. Record your observations.