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2.44 Tests for gases

Gases can be compressed

Physically gases have a number of similarities. For example -  all gases will:

  • fill the container in which they are placed and adopt its shape
  • expand when heated and contract when cooled
  • be compressed if subjected to increased pressure
However despite these physical similarities many gases are chemically very different from one another. These chemical differences allow us to identify different gases with some simple tests. In this section we consider five gases : carbon dioxide CO2, ammonia NH3, hydrogen H2, oxygen O2 and chlorine Cl2.


One of the gases is alkaline one is acidic, one burns, another supports combustion and the other acts as a bleach. Here you will find out which does what.

 Students should:

  • 2.44 describe tests for the gases:• hydrogen • oxygen • carbon dioxide • ammonia • chlorine.


 2.44 Activity 1. Observing Oxygen

Oxygen is a very reactive gas. It makes up approximately 21% of our atmosphere.

Oxygen is a gas which supports combustion. If the proportion of oxygen in the air is increased then things will burn more readily. An atmosphere any richer in oxygen would make the world a more dangerous place!

The standard test for oxygen is to place a glowing splint into a test tube that may contain the gas.

If the splint glows brighter and/or relights into flame then it is a positive result for oxygen.

oxygen gas is a powerful oxidising agent

 2.44 Activity 2. Hearing Hydrogen

Watch the video to see and hear the students using hydrogen to make some squeaky pops.

Are all squeaky pops the same?

Try to explain your answer.

Some say that hydrogen is a perfect fuel since it is not polluting. Can you explain why they can make this claim? 

hydrogen gas is highly flammable

This video shows how when done on a larger scale hydrogen will burn with a bit more than a squeaky pop!


 2.44 Activity 3. Catching carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is one of the gases responsible for global warming

Limewater is a colourless solution of calcium hydroxide. When carbon dioxide reacts with it a precipitate of calcium carbonate is formed. This turns the limewater cloudy.

Calcium carbonate forms an insoluble precipitate

Reactions like this one can be used to remove carbon dioxide from the air 

Limewater becomes cloudy when carbon dioxide is bubbled through it.

 2.44 Activity 4. Detecting Ammonia gas

Ammonia gas is a colourless but very pungent gas. Ammonia gas is manufactured on an industrial scale - as it can be used as a fertiliser itself and neutralised by acids to make salts which can be used as fertilisers. Other products include dyestuffs and explosives.

Ammonia can be easily detected using damp red litmus paper. The litmus paper turns blue as the ammonia is alkaline.

Pure ammonia is dangerous

Ammonia is alkaline

 2.44 Activity 5. Keep clear of Chlorine

Enter your text here ...

Chlorine gas is a dense, pale green, pungent, toxic gas. 

It is very dangerous and is only made in very small quantities in a laboratory. 

The test for chlorine gas is that it will bleach the colour out of a damp litmus paper 

Chlorine is toxic

Chlorine is such an unpleasant gas that is has been used as a chemical weapon. 

 2.44 Activity 6. It's a gas

Make a copy of the table below. Watch the video and use the information to complete the table. 

GAS TEST POSITIVE RESULT 
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Ammonia 
Chlorine
Carbon dioxide
GAS TEST POSITIVE RESULT
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Ammonia
Chlorine
Carbon dioxide

Enter your text here ...

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