Question

One chemical test that would enable you to distinguish between the following pair of chemicals. Describe what happens with each chemical or state 'no visible reaction'.
Sodium chloride solution and sodium nitrate solution.

Answer 1

Sodium chloride solution and sodium nitrate solution can be distinguished by using conc. sulphuric acid. To the salt solution, add freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution and pour a few drops of conc. H2SO4 along the sides of the tube. If it's sodium nitrate solution then a brown ring would appear at the junction of the two liquid layers. But if its sodium chloride solution, it would not undergo any visible reaction.