March 28, 2024, 11:27:02 AM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?  (Read 5823 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Bel-p

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 27
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
  • I'm a mole!
Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« on: June 16, 2006, 08:42:42 AM »
Why is acid needed for tests for ions?

Eg nitric acid (and then silver nitrate) when testing for halide ions, and hydrochloric acid (and then barium chloride) when testing for sulphate ions?

Offline lavoisier

  • Chemist
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 155
  • Mole Snacks: +17/-3
  • Gender: Male
  • El sueño de la razón produce monstruos
Re: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2006, 02:31:51 PM »
Don't take it as a general rule ('acid needed for tests for ions'); however, in the two specific cases you cite, the explanation is that at higher pH you can have side reactions which interfere with your test.

I give you a hint: forget about the anion you're analysing and think of what you have in solution in your reagent. In one case is NO3- and Ag+, in the other Ba2+ and Cl-.
Now, what can happen to these species if you make the pH rise (adding OH- ions)?
You should also consider that your solutions are in contact with air.

Offline swati

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 80
  • Mole Snacks: +10/-3
  • Gender: Female
Re: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2006, 05:31:34 PM »
Don't take it as a general rule ('acid needed for tests for ions'); however, in the two specific cases you cite, the explanation is that at higher pH you can have side reactions which interfere with your test.

I give you a hint: forget about the anion you're analysing and think of what you have in solution in your reagent. In one case is NO3- and Ag+, in the other Ba2+ and Cl-.
Now, what can happen to these species if you make the pH rise (adding OH- ions)?
You should also consider that your solutions are in contact with air.

 :D Hello everyone
In addition to this also think about the common ion effect.

hepworth

  • Guest
Re: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2006, 09:51:02 PM »
so by adding acids are you neutralising the alkaline ions?
r all ions alkaline?
whats the common ion effect?

Offline Morphic flip

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 121
  • Mole Snacks: +5/-6
  • I'm a mole!
Re: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2006, 05:55:37 AM »
Common ion effect is equilibrium/Le Chatelier's principle.
AgCl (aq)dissociates into ions Ag+ and Cl- .
If you add say, NaCl(aq), gives Cl -ions, the equilibrium of the solution shifts to remove Cl- from the solution.
Therefore at the shifted equilibrium point there will be less Ag+(aq) ions but more AgCl(s).


« Last Edit: June 17, 2006, 06:08:06 AM by Morphic flip »

Offline swati

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 80
  • Mole Snacks: +10/-3
  • Gender: Female
Re: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2006, 02:58:28 PM »
whats the common ion effect?

When ther are two electrolytes in a solution & one of the electrolyte is stronger than the other & they have got a common ion between them , then the dissociation of the weak electrolyte is further suppressed.


            HCl         ----------->     H+        +        Cl-  
            H2S       ------------>   2H+        +         S 2-       

 H2S  being weaker electrolyte having common ion (  H+ ) with HCl , so dissociation of H2S is suppressed & we will have less of  S 2- in the solution.

Offline Bel-p

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 27
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
  • I'm a mole!
Re: Tests for ions, why is acid needed?
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2006, 05:43:39 PM »
Thanks for the replies, I'll try and get my head around it all.

Sponsored Links