Identification of Substances
kit #83
Specific positive and negative ions are often used to identify inorganic substances. In this kit, students are asked to identify common metallic and non-metallic ions in zinc, cadmium, antimony, barium, sulfate, sulfide, sulfite, and carbonate. Through the identification process, students learn that each substance has distinctive properties. As a closing activity, students conduct chemical tests on four unknown substances. All test results are safe, clear, colorful, and unmistakable! Since one kit provides supplies for twelve students working individually, LAB-AIDS® recommends ordering additional kits. The Identification of Substances Kit is an excellent complement to both the Qualitative Analysis Chromatography Kit (LAB-AIDS® No. 18) and the Identification of Chemical Reactions Kit (LAB-AIDS® No. 84).
- A thorough introduction to acid and bases
- Produce hydrogen by reacting acids with metals
- Collect and safely test hydrogen
- Produce carbon dioxide by reacting carbonates with acids
- Collect and test carbon dioxide
- Observe effects of acids and bases on indicator dyes
- Measure concentration of acids by titration of an "unknown"
- Perform a neutralization experiment
Content List in Identification of Substances is as follows:
Quantity | Description |
---|---|
1 | Teacher’s Guide with MSDS |
50 | Student Worksheets and Guides |
12 | Chemplates with spatulas and gas collector caps, LAB-AIDS® |
12 | Gas delivery tubes |
1 | Absorbent paper, Package |
1 | Calcium carbonate chips, Vial |
1 | Unknown #1, Vial |
1 | Unknown #2, Vial |
1 | Unknown #3, Vial |
1 | Unknown #4, Vial |
1 | Barium Chloride Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Antimony Chloride Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Cadmium Nitrate Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Lead Acetate Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Potassium Permanganate Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Sodium Sulfate Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Sodium Sulfite Solution, Drop control bottle |
1 | Zinc Nitrate Solution, Drop control bottle |
3 | 6M Hydrochloric Acid, Drop control bottle |
3 | Saturated Limewater, Drop control bottle |
3 | Sodium sulfide Solution, Drop control bottle |
- Number of students
- 50
- Number of groups
- Maximum 12 groups per period

To complete this kit requires one ~50-minute class period.