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Consider the two different unknowns, one labeled (a) and one labeled (b), each c

ID: 1020094 • Letter: C

Question

Consider the two different unknowns, one labeled (a) and one labeled (b), each contains ONLY ONE of the two cations/precipitates listed.

Give a single CHEMICAL reagent that would allow you distinguish which cation/precipitate is in the unknown.

1) Contains either Mg+ (aq) or Zn +2 (aq)....

a) Add the following reagent:

b) Expected observation for Mg+?

c) Expected observation for Zn +2?

2) Contains either AgCl(s) or PbCl(s)

a) Add the following reagent:

b) Expected observation for AgCl?

c) Expected observation for PbCl2?

Explanation / Answer

1) Reagent NaOH that will precipitate out both Zn2+ and Mg2+

Mg2+(aq) + 2OH–(aq) ==> Mg(OH)2(s)gives a white precipitate

Zn2+(aq) + 2OH–(aq) ==> Zn(OH)2(s)a white precipitate formed

2) Reagent HCl that will precipitate out both Ag+ and Pb2+

Ag+(aq) + Cl–(aq) ==> AgCl(s)gives a white precipitate

Pb2+(aq) + 2Cl–(aq) ==> PbCl2(s)a white precipitate formed