Silver nitrate is added to a solution and precipitate forms. This precipitate dissolves when concentrated ammonia is added. What anion was present in the original solution?

I don't know how to answer this. Also can someone please explain how to identify a cation and anion in a solution.
Thank you.

I took a year of course work to identify cations and anions and you want me to condense all of that into a short answer here? Ha! and LOL.

Cl^- is the anion present.
The best thing you can do is know reactions of anions and cations and the solubility rules. Thos two will take you a long way in qual analysis of cations and anions.

hmm, ok thanks

To answer the first question, the precipitate formed when silver nitrate is added to a solution is silver chloride (AgCl). When concentrated ammonia is added, the silver chloride precipitate dissolves, forming a soluble complex ion called diamminesilver(I) or [Ag(NH3)2]+.

To identify a cation and anion in a solution, you can follow these steps:

1. Determine the cation: Cations are positively charged ions. To identify the cation present, you can perform preliminary tests such as flame tests or use specific reagents known as confirmatory tests.

- Flame tests: The flame tests involve placing the substance in a flame and observing the color of the flame. Different metal ions produce characteristic colors. For example, sodium ions (Na+) produce a yellow flame, while potassium ions (K+) produce a lilac flame.
- Confirmatory tests: These tests involve adding specific reagents to the solution to form precipitates or undergo color changes. For example, if you suspect the presence of a metal ion like copper(II), you can add sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form a distinctive blue precipitate.

2. Identify the anion: Anions are negatively charged ions. To determine the anion present in a solution, you can use a variety of tests and reagents.

- Acid-base or precipitation reactions: Some combinations of cations and anions produce insoluble compounds called precipitates. By adding a specific reagent, you can observe the formation of a precipitate, allowing you to identify the anion. For example, adding silver nitrate (AgNO3) to a solution can produce a white precipitate with chloride ions (Cl-).
- Chemical tests: Certain anions have distinct chemical reactions that can be used to identify them. For instance, the addition of nitric acid (HNO3) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) to a solution can form a brown precipitate with iodide ions (I-).

It's important to note that these tests and reagents are specific to certain ions and may not be applicable to all substances. Additionally, the results should be interpreted with caution and confirmed through multiple tests if necessary.