Qualitative salt analysis & test-tube simulator: interactive simulation
Qualitative inorganic and organic analysis is a cornerstone of laboratory chemistry and competitive exams like JEE and NEET. Systematic identification relies on characteristic flame emissions, selective precipitation by group reagents, and specific confirmatory complexations.
Useful for: JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, CBSE Boards · 5 modes in one lab
What you can explore
- 1
Bunsen Flame Test
Characteristic flame emission colors for Ca, Sr, Ba, Cu, K and Na. - 2
Cation Group Separation
Flowchart of Group I to Group V reagents and precipitates. - 3
Anion Confirmatory Tests
Brown ring for NO₃⁻, chromyl chloride for Cl⁻ and lead acetate for S²⁻. - 4
Organic Functional Group Tests
Lucas test for alcohols and Tollens/Fehling test for aldehydes. - 5
Identify the unknown salt
A decision tree: flame colour, then “white ppt dissolves in excess NaOH”, until the salt is named.
Try this
Explore flame test colors, follow systematic group separation from Group I to Group V based on K_sp principles, simulate the iconic brown ring test for nitrate and chromyl chloride test for chloride, and differentiate 1°, 2° and 3° alcohols with the Lucas reagent.
- 1
In Flame Tests, switch between Calcium, Strontium and Barium.
What you should see
Calcium produces brick-red, Strontium yields crimson-red, and Barium produces apple-green flame.
- 2
In Anion tests, observe the Brown Ring Test.
What you should see
A dark brown ring of [Fe(H₂O)₅(NO)]²⁺ forms precisely at the liquid-liquid interface where concentrated H₂SO₄ meets aqueous FeSO₄.
- 3
In Organic tests, test 1°, 2° and 3° alcohols with Lucas reagent.
What you should see
3° alcohol produces cloudiness immediately; 2° alcohol produces cloudiness in 5 minutes; 1° alcohol produces no cloudiness at room temperature.
Formulas behind it
Brown Ring Complex formula
Chromyl chloride test reaction
Lucas reagent test reaction
Common mistakes
- Assuming the chromyl chloride test detects all chlorides — it does NOT respond to covalent or poorly soluble chlorides like HgCl₂, AgCl, PbCl₂ or SnCl₂.
- Shaking the test tube during the brown ring test — heat generated by mixing concentrated H₂SO₄ decomposes the thermally labile [Fe(H₂O)₅(NO)]²⁺ complex.
- Thinking aqueous KOH is used for Lucas test — Lucas reagent requires ANHYDROUS ZnCl₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst with concentrated HCl.
FAQ
Why is concentrated HCl used to make salt paste for flame tests?
Because metal chlorides are volatile at Bunsen burner temperatures, allowing metal atoms to vaporize into the flame.
Why does Group IV require H₂S in alkaline medium (NH₄OH)?
Because Group IV sulfides (ZnS, MnS, CoS, NiS) have higher K_sp than Group II sulfides, so higher [S²⁻] provided by alkaline medium is required for precipitation.
What is the Tollens silver mirror test?
Aldehydes reduce ammoniacal silver nitrate [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ to metallic silver, depositing a gleaming mirror on the inner wall of the test tube.
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