Which test can indicate multiple types of halides?

The test that can indicate multiple types of halides is precipitation with silver nitrate. When a halide solution is treated with silver nitrate, a reaction occurs that forms an insoluble silver halide precipitate. This reaction is significant because it is specific to halides such as chloride, bromide, and iodide, resulting in different colored precipitates: white for silver chloride, pale yellow for silver bromide, and yellow for silver iodide.

This method is widely used in qualitative analysis to identify the presence of various halides in a solution effectively. The formation of precipitates is a clear visual indication of the halide ions present, making it a reliable test for detecting multiple halides simultaneously.

In contrast, other methods mentioned, such as the flame test, primarily identify specific metal ions based on the color they emit when heated. The presence of nitric acid is not indicative of halides; rather, it serves various purposes in analytical chemistry, such as cleaning or modifying solutions. The barium sulfate test is specifically used to detect sulfate ions, not halides. Therefore, precipitation with silver nitrate is the most effective and indicative test for detecting multiple types of halides.