[battleofsat]

how do you tell Na+, Li+, and K+ ions apart from experiment?
(except flame test)
thank you!

[Arkcon]

These are difficult for a High School lab to tell apart, even by flame test.  You'll have to check the lab notebook, or class notes, or textbook for what you're expected to be able to do.  FWIW, the pharmacopeia has texts to differentiate these, as does Feigl's spot tests.  But that's lots of work for just an FYI.  Generally, professional labs use instrument based techniques.  You can look up those if you have to come up with a good answer for a report.

[battleofsat]

thank you!