A simple qualitative method to determine the presence of phosphate ions in a sample is as follows. A small amount of the sample is acidified with concentrated nitric acid, to which a little ammonium molybdate is added. The presence of phosphate ions is indicated by the formation of a bright yellow precipitate layer of ammonium phosphomolybdate. The appearance of the precipitate can be facilitated by gentle heating. This test is also used to detect arsenic, a yellow precipitate being formed.