Three colorless solutions in test tubes, with no labels, are in a test tube rack on the laboratory bench. Lying beside the test tubes are three labels: silver nitrate, AgNO3; hydrochloric acid, HCl; and sodium carbonate, Na2CO3. You are to place the labels on the test tubes using only the three solutions present. Here is your analysis procedure:
• A portion of test tube 1 added to a portion of test tube 2 produces carbon dioxide gas, CO2.
• A portion of test tube 2 added to a portion of test tube 3 produces a white silver carbonate precipitate.
a. On the basis of your observations how would you label the three test tubes?
b. What would you expect to happen if a portion of test tube 1 is added to a portion of test tube 3?