Question

Sodium ion (Na+) and calcium ion (Ca2+) produce nearly the same color in a flame test (yellow and yellow-orange, respectively). Describe a way to differentiate between the two using a solution of Na2CO3 and write the correct balanced equation(s).

Answer 1

when you add the \[Na _{2}CO _{3}\] to both solutions, you get with Na+ \[Na _{2}CO _{3}+2Na ^{+}\rightarrow\ Na _{2}CO _{3}+2Na ^{+}\] which is exactly the same, but with Ca2+\[Ca ^{2+}+Na _{2}CO _{3} \rightarrow CaCO _{3}+2Na\] and here CaCO3 is produced which is known to be insoluble so would make a cloudiness in the tube :)