Students are dumb. today we were given a sample containing Cd,Cu, Bi, or Sn. We had to determine the anion and cation. The teacher said "Come look at my old Qual' book, and look shit up online"

He told us to test our sample with observation at each step, before moving on. So, I prepped my sample as a stock solution in 3 parts, one was split for Cation Analysis, the second for anion

the third was in case I fucked up. I also retained about 1/4th of my original sample in case i doublefucked up. I had a white crystal, no odor.

My anion solution showed that it wasn't a chloride, Bromide, Iodide, or Carbonate. I tested for Sulfate, negative, and for oxalate, negative. I knew it couldn't be a Phosphate, because Phosphates ...

Don't dissolve in water. I went to test for the Cation, and immediately got a yellow precipitate that hovered in the water. I googled "Cadmium Salts" and Lo, what did I find? Pictures of my precipitate.

I found that Cadmium Nitrate is a common salt, so I tested my Anion for Nitrate, and got an immediate strong positive. In 4 tests, I knew what my compound was. This took, maybe, 45 minutes, mostly because...

I was helping my old lab partner, who happened to have the same material as me.

So, where's the complaints? No one else bothered to look at the teacher's book, or online. The guy across from me could of had his Cation by looking at the material alone: It was blue(a copper compound).

I love chemistry, I'm frustrated by being surrounded by idiots that only follow the written directions. The analysis flowcharts are a guide, but not a recipe.

Maybe they'll all go into Finance

I wish. Most of these guys are premed or pre pharmacy.