Question

Give a chemical test to distinguish between the following.
Calcium nitrate and zinc nitrate.

Answer 1

Nitrate is a polyatomic ion having chemical formula $N{{O}_{3}}^{-}$. Nitrates are generally soluble in water. Salts which contain this anion are known as nitrates of this salt. These are common components of fertilizers and explosives.

Complete step by step answer:
Zinc nitrate is generally an inorganic chemical compound representing the formula $Zn{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}$. It is white, crystalline solid which is soluble in both water and alcohol and it is highly deliquescent and is typically encountered as a hexahydrate $Zn{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}.6{{H}_{2}}O$.
Calcium nitrate is also known by the name Norges Saltpeter which is an inorganic compound represented by the formula$Ca{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}$. It is generally a colorless salt which absorbs moisture from the air and commonly found as a tetrahydrate.
There are many tests which distinguish between calcium nitrate and zinc nitrate out of which one main is sodium hydroxide solution test. It can be discussed as:
When Sodium hydroxide solution is added to a $Zn{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}$ then white precipitate is formed which is generally soluble in excess of sodium hydroxide. And in case of $Ca{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}$ when Sodium hydroxide solution is added then white precipitate is formed which is insoluble in excess of sodium hydroxide.

Note: Zinc nitrate is used for the synthesis of coordination polymers and it can also be used as mordant in dyeing. Calcium nitrate has many applications like in fertilizer grade. It is also used in water pre conditioning for odor emission prevention.