Help identifying unknown chemicals.

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The discussion focuses on identifying nine unknown white solids, including various oxides, sulfates, nitrates, and carbonates. The participant seeks advice on using available reagents like water, hydrochloric acid, and silver nitrate to differentiate these compounds. Suggestions include analyzing the solubility of each solid in water and utilizing a branching diagram to narrow down the possibilities based on chemical reactions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the reactions of each compound with the provided reagents. Overall, the thread highlights a methodical approach to chemical identification through logical reasoning and research.
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I have 9 white solids which i need to identify. Aluminium ocide (Al2O3), Calcium Oxide (CaO), Sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4), aluminium sulphate ( Al2(SO4)3 ), Ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4, calcium nitrate ( Ca(NO3)2 ), Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), Sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3), Zinc carbonate (ZnCO3).

The reagents i have are: water, Hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, silver nitrate solution, ammonium hydroxide and barium chloride.

Any ideas on how to single a few out would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Welcome to PF;
You want to start by fuguring what the reactions of each of them with each of the reagents would be.
i.e. do any of them look like they should dissolve in water?
 
I find sometimes it is easiest to turn this into a branching diagram. You keep creating new branches until you are left with the one compound. Like Simon said, find out what they react with and go from there. Your first branch could be "Does it dissolve in water".
 
A lot of those compounds are in materials databases - you can look up how they react with the different reagents.
Then it's mostly an exercise in logic.

Since it's been almost a month without feedback I guess the exercise is over and I wasn't really all that much help.
 
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