Qualitative Analysis (QA) refers to identification of chemical species present in a substance or the chemical composition of a mixture through chemical tests and
observations.

Descriptive chemistry is most effectively learned in qualitative analysis. Colour changes, formation of a precipitate, evolution of gas, are used in combination with deductive reasoning to identify the cations, anions and the properties of unknown substances.

The unknown substances that are given in practical examinations may be single compounds or mixtures of compounds, and may contain more than two different ions