Unknown Chemical

What solvent a substance will dissolve into gives hints as to its identity (“like dissolves like”). Some materials generate heat when they dissolve in water, others absorb heat from their surroundings and the solution becomes cold; this characteristic can help identify the substance. A material that is insoluble in water but soluble in acid is either a metal or a base. (Aluminum is one metal that will dissolve in a basic solution.) A material that is insoluble in water but soluble in a basic solution is an acidic compound.

WARNING! Before you add acid to any unknown basic material, check to be sure that it’s not cyanide!