What precipitate forms when bromide ions are tested with acidified dilute nitric acid and silver nitrate?

• A. Cream precipitate.
• B. White precipitate.
• C. Yellow precipitate.
• D. No precipitate.

Answer: (A)

When halide ions are tested with silver nitrate in acidic solution, they form an insoluble silver halide precipitate. The color of that precipitate identifies which halide is present. For bromide, the precipitate is silver bromide, which appears cream-colored. This contrasts with silver chloride (white) and silver iodide (yellow). The acid keeps the solution acidic so the reaction goes mainly toward forming the silver halide precipitate rather than other silver compounds. Therefore, the observed cream precipitate confirms the presence of bromide ions.