What is salt analysis in Class 12?

You identify the anion and the cation in an unknown inorganic salt with systematic tests, then write Experiment, Observation, Inference.

Which cation is tested first?

Group 0, ammonium. Heat with NaOH and confirm with Nessler’s reagent. If NH₄⁺ is present, stop further cation groups.

Both. Dilute then conc. H₂SO₄ on the original salt for anions, and Group 0 on the original salt. Then make original solution for Groups I to VI.

The same qualitative analysis scheme is used in CBSE, ISC, and most state boards.

Built by Aabis

Find the anion and the cation. Write Experiment, Observation, Inference. Print the page for your file. Works for CBSE, ISC, and other boards.

The salts that usually come in the practical. Open one and copy the table.

Group	Ions	Reagent / note
0	NH₄⁺	NaOH, heat; Nessler’s reagent. Always first. Then stop if positive.
I	Pb²⁺ (also Ag⁺, Hg₂²⁺ in older lists)	Dilute HCl. White ppt; PbCl₂ soluble in hot water.
II	Cu²⁺, As³⁺, …	H₂S in dilute HCl. CuS is black.
III	Al³⁺, Fe³⁺	NH₄Cl + NH₄OH. White gelatinous Al(OH)₃ or reddish-brown Fe(OH)₃.
IV	Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺	H₂S in ammoniacal medium. ZnS is white.
V	Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺	(NH₄)₂CO₃. Then flame + chromate / sulphate / oxalate.
VI	Mg²⁺	Na₂HPO₄ after I-V are absent. Scratch the tube.

Step	Ions	What you see
Dilute H₂SO₄	CO₃²⁻, S²⁻, SO₃²⁻, NO₂⁻, CH₃COO⁻	CO₂ (lime water), H₂S (rotten eggs), SO₂, NO₂, vinegar.
Conc. H₂SO₄	Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₃⁻, C₂O₄²⁻	HCl fumes, Br₂ brown, I₂ violet, NO₂, CO + CO₂.
Independent	SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻	BaCl₂ (acid-insoluble ppt); ammonium molybdate (canary yellow).