AP | A-Level | IB | NCERT 11 + 12 – FREE NOTES, RESOURCES AND VIDEOS!
AQA® A-Level
YouTube Channel
YouTube Channel
@chemistry.student
*Revision Materials and Past Papers* 1 Atomic Structure 2 Amounts of Substance 3 Bonding 4 Energetics 5 Kinetics 6 Chemical Equilibria & Kc 7 Redox Equations 8 Thermodynamics 9 Rate Equations 10 Kp (Equilibrium Constant) 11 Electrode Potentials & Cells 12 Acids and Bases 13 Periodicity 14 Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals 15 Group 7: The Halogens 16 Period 3 Elements & Oxides 17 Transition Metals 18 Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solution 19 Intro to Organic Chemistry 20 Alkanes 21 Halogenoalkanes 22 Alkenes 23 Alcohols 24 Organic Analysis 25 Optical Isomerism 26 Aldehydes & Ketones 27 Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives 28 Aromatic Chemistry 29 Amines 30 Polymers 31 Amino Acids, Proteins & DNA 32 Organic Synthesis 33 NMR Spectroscopy 34 Chromatography RP1–RP12 Required Practicals

7.2 Required Practicals

1 Make up a volumetric solution and carry out a simple acid–base titration 2 Measurement of an enthalpy change 3 Investigation of how the rate of a reaction changes with temperature 4 Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify cations anions 5 Distillation of a product from a reaction 6 Tests for alcohol, aldehyde, alkene and carboxylic acid 7 Measuring the rate of reaction, by an initial rate method, by a continuous monitoring method 8 Measuring the EMF of an electrochemical cell 9 Investigate how pH changes when a weak acid reacts with a strong base and when a strong acid reacts with a weak base 10 Preparation of, a pure organic solid and test of its purity, a pure organic liquid 11 Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify transition metal ions in aqueous solution 12 Separation of species by thin-layer chromatography

Disclaimer:
The exact reagents, reactions, processes and equipment used in practical activities may vary between schools, colleges, and exam board exemplar methods. The essential techniques, skills, and learning objectives remain the same. Always follow the instructions, risk assessments, and safety guidance provided by your teacher or centre.


PRACTICAL 11 – Tests for Transition Metal Ions

Aim:
To investigate the reactions of transition metal compounds (labelled Q, R and S) by observing their behaviour with sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and silver nitrate.

Overview:
Transition metal ions form coloured solutions and characteristic precipitates when reacted with different reagents. By observing these reactions, useful information can be gained about the ions present in a sample.


A pdf download sheet for all metal-aqua ion reactions for AQA (Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+ and Al3+) can be found here.

Apparatus and Reagents

Observation Notes

Test 1(a) – Reaction with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

AQA A-Level Chemistry test with NaOH added dropwise to solutions Q, R, and S to observe precipitate formation and colour changes.
  1. Add 10 drops of solution Q to a test tube.
  2. Add NaOH dropwise with gentle shaking until in excess.
  3. Do not discard – this will be used again in Test 1(b).
  4. Repeat with solutions R and S.

Test 1(b) – Stability of Hydroxide Precipitates on Heating

AQA A-Level Chemistry hot water bath used to heat tubes containing hydroxide precipitates of transition metal ions.
  1. Half-fill a 250 cm³ beaker with hot water.
  2. Place the three tubes from Test 1(a) into the bath.
  3. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  4. Record changes (further colour change, precipitate dissolving, etc.).

Test 2 – Reaction with Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)

AQA A-Level Chemistry test of transition metal solutions with sodium carbonate, observing precipitate and colour changes.
  1. Add 10 drops of sodium carbonate solution into a clean test tube.
  2. Add 10 drops of solution Q and mix gently.
  3. Repeat with solutions R and S.
  4. Record any colour changes, precipitates or effervesence.

Test 3 – Reaction with Silver Nitrate (AgNO3)

AQA A-Level Chemistry test of transition metal solutions with silver nitrate, observing precipitate formation and stability on standing.
  1. Add 10 drops of solution Q into a clean test tube.
  2. Add 10 drops of silver nitrate solution, mix gently.
  3. Repeat for solutions R and S.
  4. Allow mixtures to stand for 10 minutes and observe further changes.

Key Observations to Record

Safety Notes