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You could start with physical appearance - is it a liquid or solid. What does it smell like (Be careful !! DON'T check what it tastes like :-( ) Is it a metal or a non metal, is it magnetic, hard, soft? etc will it disolve in water? or a solvent? ( polar or non polar?) if it disolves in water what is the pH of the solution? what is the unknown substances melting or boiling point? If it dissolves in water, chemical tests might include; is it a choride - test with silver nitrate solution. is it a sulphate - test with Barium Chloride.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoIt depends on what the substance MIGHT be. There really isn't a generic answer. The ways you'd test a mineral are COMPLETELY different from the ways you'd test a flask full of clear liquid.
Find a good textbook for the field of study that covers your category of material and look up "qualitative analysis".
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoAt home a sure identification is difficult; some possibilities are to observe characteristics as:
- hardness
- color
- smell
- general aspect
- state of matter
- pH (measuring with red cabbage juice)
- evaluate the density
etc.
It is not recommended to taste unknown substances.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agofollow the teachers procedures
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoJust about any property that can be observed or measured can help you reduce the number of options.
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Why are solubility tests helpful to determine unknown substances?
A simple solubility test can be used to identify an unknown substance. Most substance will make a precipitate when around certain molecules.
What information could you use to determine the atomic number of unknown element that has a mass number of 22?
number of neutrons
Is it dangerous to smell an unknown substance?
Absolutely it could cause brain damage or worse it can also be classified as an inhalant.
How could one determine whether a sample of aspirin is pure or not?
The determination is by chemical analysis.
Can you determine the identity of unknown substance by observing its mass and volume?
No, you cannot. The mass and volume of an unknown substance will give you its density. Density is not a property that can identify a substance unless you know that it is pure but not if it could be a mixture. For example, sodium has a density of 0.97 g/cc and osmium a density of 22.6 g/cc. These two metals can be combined in various proportions to give an alloy with a density with any value between the two given numbers. I am not sure how stable such an alloy might be but the point is that you could make an alloy with the same density as tin, or iron, or lead or bronze or most other metals or metallic alloys that you care to name.
Contained in the chart to determine which unknown substance could be lithium?
D
What things could be used to determine whether a substance is an acid or a base?
litmus paper.
Why is it important to identify an unknown substance?
Because the substance could potentially be extremely toxic or harmful. You must never use an unknown substance in experiments without identifying it first, many tests can be undertaken to determine the cation and anion. These tests include the flame test, solubility tests, precipitate reaction tests and conductivity tests. These do vary depending on the unknown substance.
How could you determine whether a white powder was zinc sulfide or silver nitrate using hydrochloric acid solution?
To determine what the white substance is we must add it to HCl.
How could a determine whether an unknown substance was a mineral?
A mineral is any chemical compound with a constant chemical composition, which of course is the definition of a "pure substance". In earth science you might be distinguishing between "rock" and "mineral". A mineral is a pure substance. A rock is a mixture of two or more minerals in various proportions. For instance, the rock granite is made up of three minerals: quartz, feldspar and biotite (mica).
What can you use your senses to observe?
You can visually observe the color, opacity, viscosity of a substance. You can listen for audible sounds emanating from the substance. You can waft air currents over the substance to see if you can smell anything - NEVER directly sniff an unknown substance. You could touch the substance while wearing chemical resistant gloves to determine texture. The only sense you absolutely should not use is the sense of taste as you could be accidentally ingesting a poision or toxin.
You can use your senses to observe a what?
You can visually observe the color, opacity, viscosity of a substance. You can listen for audible sounds emanating from the substance. You can waft air currents over the substance to see if you can smell anything - NEVER directly sniff an unknown substance. You could touch the substance while wearing chemical resistant gloves to determine texture. The only sense you absolutely should not use is the sense of taste as you could be accidentally ingesting a poision or toxin.
How could you find out whether or not an unknown liquid was water?
you could taste it and hope you don't die
How could you determine safely whether an unknown solution is an acid or base?
The simplest way would be to use litmus paper, depending on the color it changes - that indicates whether you're dealing with an acid or a base. Pink/red is an acid, Blue is a base.
Why are solubility tests helpful to determine unknown substances?
A simple solubility test can be used to identify an unknown substance. Most substance will make a precipitate when around certain molecules.
Explain how you could find out whether or not an unknown liquid was water?
you could taste it and hope you don't die
How could you use the word determine in a sentence?
How do you determine whether to use present or past tense? Your scores will determine the winner.
