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Chemistry LibreTexts

Qualitative Analysis

  • Page ID
    97252
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    Qualitative Analysis is the determination of non-numerical information about a chemical species, a reaction, etc. Examples would be observing that a reaction is creating gas that is bubbling out of solution or observing that a reaction results in a color change. Qualitative analysis is not as reliable as quantitative analysis but is often far easier, faster and cheaper to perform. This chapter discusses how to perform a systematic analysis on inorganic material to ascertain its composition.

    Thumbnail: Lead(II) iodide precipitates when solutions of potassium iodide and lead(II) nitrate are combined. (CC BY-SA 3.0; PRHaney).


    Qualitative Analysis is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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