Micro-chemical test for calcium: Difference between revisions
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back to [[Micro-chemical testing]] | back to [[Micro-chemical testing]] | ||
More information | More information on the required equipment and materials see the Micro-chemistry article. | ||
== Procedure == | == Procedure == | ||
Add one drop of 1M sulfuric acid to the test drop of the aqueous salt solution on a flat object slide. Heat the drop gently until the fringe of the drop starts to become dry (do not dry completely!). Observe the crystals forming at the fringe under the microscope at a magnification of about 100x. | Add one drop of 1M sulfuric acid to the test drop of the aqueous salt solution on a flat object slide. Heat the drop gently until the fringe of the drop starts to become dry (do not dry completely!). Observe the crystals forming at the fringe under the microscope at a magnification of about 100x. | ||
== Positive test result == | == Positive test result == | ||
If | If Ca<sup>2+</sup> is present sheaf-like bundles of elongated needles of gypsum can be observed at the fringe of the test drop. Detection limit for Ca<sup>2+</sup> = 0.05 µg. | ||
== Samples containing | == Samples containing both calcium and sulfate == | ||
In test solutions containing | In test solutions containing both Ca<sup>2+</sup> and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>, gypsum crystals can be observed to form at the fringe of a test drop while drying. Better crystals will be formed if the drop is previously acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid, or 2M nitric acid, prior to drying it. Depending on the acid used the shape of the gypsum crystals will vary. To become familiar with the possible shapes that gypsum crystals will take in different acid preparations, known sample solutions should be prepared and observed. A common feature of all crystallization forms of gypsum formed during drying of a solution is the formation of twinned crystals (see image 1). | ||
When comparing the amount of gypsum formed in drops with or without addition of sulfuric acid respectively, it can be estimated if the salt solution contains the same amount of calcium and sulfate or if one of the two ions is predominant. This estimation | |||
When comparing the amount of gypsum formed in drops with or without addition of sulfuric acid respectively, it can be estimated if the salt solution contains the same amount of calcium and sulfate or if one of the two ions is predominant. This estimation requires to run parallel tests with known salt mixtures for comparison. | |||
== Further observations == | == Further observations == | ||
When using HCl for the test indications for the presence of Na+ or K+ | When using HCl for the test indications for the presence of Na<sup>+</sup> or K<sup>+</sup> it will be seen that as the drop dries typical isotropic cubes of NaCl or likewise isotropic rectangular, cruciform structures of KCl will form at the edge of the drop. | ||
== Literature == | == Literature == | ||
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<biblist/> | <biblist/> | ||
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[[category:Bläuer,Christine]][[category: | [[category:Bläuer,Christine]][[category:approved]][[category: microchemistry]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:31, 24 November 2017
Author: Christine Bläuer
back to Micro-chemical testing
More information on the required equipment and materials see the Micro-chemistry article.
Procedure
Add one drop of 1M sulfuric acid to the test drop of the aqueous salt solution on a flat object slide. Heat the drop gently until the fringe of the drop starts to become dry (do not dry completely!). Observe the crystals forming at the fringe under the microscope at a magnification of about 100x.
Positive test result
If Ca2+ is present sheaf-like bundles of elongated needles of gypsum can be observed at the fringe of the test drop. Detection limit for Ca2+ = 0.05 µg.
Samples containing both calcium and sulfate
In test solutions containing both Ca2+ and SO42-, gypsum crystals can be observed to form at the fringe of a test drop while drying. Better crystals will be formed if the drop is previously acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid, or 2M nitric acid, prior to drying it. Depending on the acid used the shape of the gypsum crystals will vary. To become familiar with the possible shapes that gypsum crystals will take in different acid preparations, known sample solutions should be prepared and observed. A common feature of all crystallization forms of gypsum formed during drying of a solution is the formation of twinned crystals (see image 1).
When comparing the amount of gypsum formed in drops with or without addition of sulfuric acid respectively, it can be estimated if the salt solution contains the same amount of calcium and sulfate or if one of the two ions is predominant. This estimation requires to run parallel tests with known salt mixtures for comparison.
Further observations
When using HCl for the test indications for the presence of Na+ or K+ it will be seen that as the drop dries typical isotropic cubes of NaCl or likewise isotropic rectangular, cruciform structures of KCl will form at the edge of the drop.