Question

Give reason why sodium hydroxide is not preferred to differentiate between zinc ions and lead ions

Answer 1

Answer:

(i) Addition of excess of Ammonium hydroxide.

Lead nitrate results in insoluble white precipitate while zinc nitrate initially forms white precipitate that solublises in excess of ammonium hydroxide solution.

(ii) Silver nitrate test. Silver nitrate gives white precipitate with sodium chloride while sodium nitrate do not react.