Qualitative analysis
A salt contains two parts defined as radicals. The positively charged part of a salt (cation) that has been derived from a base is known as basic radical and the negatively charged part of salt (anion) that has been derived from an acid is known as acidic radical. In qualitative inorganic analysis, the provided compound is analysed for the basic and acid radicals (that is the cations and the anions), that it contains. For instance zinc blende is analysed for the Zn2+ and S2-ions which it contains.