How Do I Tell The Difference Between KCl (potassium Chloride) And NaCl (sodium Chloride)?

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John Nawrocki Profile
John Nawrocki answered
It is called the litmus test. Sodium Chloride solution is very nearly neutral while Hydrochloric Acid is highly acidic. Blue litmus paper will turn red in the Hcl acid while it will turn rather purple in the neutral NaCl solution. BTW mixing HCL and NaOh ( Sodium Hydroxide) produces a neutral solution of NaCl (Table salt) and H2O (water).
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John Nawrocki
John Nawrocki commented
BTW: Do not try mixing the chems together without proper supervision and protective gear.
John Nawrocki
John Nawrocki commented
OK. Sorry about the confusion. To deterrmine the which is NaCL and which is KCL, start with an amount of H2O at a known temperature disolve an amount of one of the compounds in the water stir until completely disolved and then measure the temperature of the solution. Repeat for the other compound (same amount H2O at same starting temperature). Compare the results. The solution showing the greatest temperature change is most probably the solution containing NACL.
Suhail Ajmal Profile
Suhail Ajmal answered
They are totally different things. Nacl is known as Sodium Chloride. It is salt used to prepare dialysate solutions. Hcl is an acid, known as Hydrochloric acid. It is the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas.

You are right they look similar. There are many elements which look similar and only the experiment can tell you the reality. You must be experienced enough to differentiate the basic difference between them.
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Theresa Hubbard
Theresa Hubbard commented
Sorry, the two compounds are Potassium Chloride (KCl) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl). I need to know the test that differentiates those two in a science competition when given a substance and asked to identify it, without using a flame test.
John Nawrocki
John Nawrocki commented
OK. Sorry about the confusion. To determine the which is NaCL and which is KCL, start with an amount of H2O at a known temperature stir an amount of one of the compounds into the water until completely dissolved and measure the temperature of the solution. Repeat for the other compound (same amount H2O at same starting temperature). Compare the results. The solution showing the greatest temperature change is most probably the solution containing NACL.

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