Question

Distinguish between the following (using ammonia solution):

Zinc nitrate and lead nitrate.

Answer 1

Zinc nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide solution to form white precipitate. This white precipitate dissolves in excess ammonium hydroxide. Lead nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide solution to form white precipitate. This white precipitate does not dissolve in excess ammonium hydroxide.

\[\ce{Zn(NO3)2 + 2NH4NO3 + Zn(OH)2↓}\]

\[\ce{Pb(NO3)2 + 2NH4NO3 + Pb(OH)2↓}\]