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Chemistry

Distinguish between the following (using ammonia solution) :

(a) Calcium chloride and zinc chloride.

(b) Ferric salt and ferrous salt

(c) Zinc nitrate and lead nitrate

Ammonia

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Answer

(a) When we add ammonium hydroxide solution to both the given salt solutions, Zinc Chloride reacts to form a gelatinous white precipitate of Zinc Hydroxide (ZnOH), whereas, no such observations i.e no precipitate will form in case of Calcium Chloride solution because ammonium hydroxide is a weak base and it cannot react with calcium salts to precipitate the hydroxide of calcium.

ZnCl2 + 2NH4OH ⟶ Zn(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl

(b) On reaction with ammonium hydroxide, Iron [II] sulphate (ferrous salt) forms a dirty green ppt whereas iron [III] sulphate (ferric salt) forms a reddish brown ppt. Hence, the two can be distinguished easily.

FeSO4 + 2NH4OH ⟶ (NH4)2SO4 + Fe(OH)2

Fe2(SO4)3 + 6NH4OH ⟶ 3(NH4)2SO4 + 2Fe(OH)3

(c) When zinc nitrate is treated with ammonium hydroxide, white gelatinous ppt. of Zinc hydroxide is formed which is soluble in excess of NH4OH.

Zn(NO3)2 + 2NH4OH ⟶ 2NH4NO3 + Zn(OH)2

Whereas, when lead nitrate is treated with ammonium hydroxide, white ppt. of lead hydroxide is formed which is insoluble in excess of NH4OH

Pb(NO3)2 + 2NH4OH ⟶ 2NH4NO3 + Pb(OH)2

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