Question

Distinguish between the following metal salt solutions.

Calcium and lead salts

Answer 1

Add ammonium hydroxide solution first dropwise and then in excess to both the salt solutions.

Calcium salt: No precipitate is formed even on adding excess of ammonium hydroxide.

Lead salt: Forms a chalky white precipitate of lead hydroxide which remains insoluble in excess.

\[\ce{Pb(NO3)2 + 2NH4OH -> 2NH4NO3 + \underset{(Chalky white ppt.)}{Pb(OH)2 ↓}}\]