Identifying unknown substances

The use of modern instrumental techniques enables rapid and accurate identification of unknown substances in the laboratory. These techniques are not usually available in schools and colleges, so this disk gives no practical details of their application. There are a number of simple chemical and physical tests that we use in the "A" Level laboratory in order to work out the purity and identity of an unknown chemical. These tests are also the source of many questions on the written exam.

Measuring melting point

Simple tests for organic substances

Simple tests for inorganic substances

A good way to test your understanding of the tests is to have a go at these exercises.