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Flame Test Lab

This document describes how to perform a flame test lab to identify different metal ions based on the color they produce in a flame. Students will test solutions of known metal ions like sodium, calcium, and copper, and record the characteristic flame colors. They will then test an unknown solution and attempt to identify it by comparing the flame color to the known results.

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14 views3 pages

Flame Test Lab

This document describes how to perform a flame test lab to identify different metal ions based on the color they produce in a flame. Students will test solutions of known metal ions like sodium, calcium, and copper, and record the characteristic flame colors. They will then test an unknown solution and attempt to identify it by comparing the flame color to the known results.

Uploaded by

feverom867
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Flame Test Lab

Introduction:
Have you ever seen a fireworks display? Where do all of the colors come from?

In this activity, you will investigate the colors of flame produced by


solutions of metal salts.

A flame test is a procedure used to test qualitatively for the presence


of certain metals in chemical compounds. When the compound to be
studied is excited by heating it in a flame, the metal ions will begin to
emit light. Based on the emission spectrum of the element, the
compound will turn the flame a characteristic color. This technique of
using certain chemical compounds to color flames is widely used in
pyrotechnics to produce the range of colors seen in a firework
display.

Certain metal ions will turn the flame very distinctive colors; these colors in turn can help identify the
presence of a particular metal in a compound. However, some colors are produced by several different
metals, making it hard to determine the exact ion or concentration of the ion in the compound. Some
colors are very weak and are easily overpowered by stronger colors. For instance, the presence of a
potassium ion in a compound will color a flame violet. But on the other hand, even trace amounts of
sodium ions in a compound produce a very strong yellow flame, often times making the potassium ion
very difficult to detect. To counteract the effects of any sodium impurities, one can view the flame through
a piece of cobalt blue glass. The cobalt glass absorbs the yellow light given off by sodium while letting
most other wavelengths of light pass through.

In this activity, wooden splints dipped in solutions of metal salts are heated using a Bunsen burner, producing
different colored flames. By comparing the color given off by an unknown with the known metal salts, the identity of
the metal salt can be determined.

Background:

The normal electron configuration of atoms or ions of an element is known as the “ground state.”
In this most stable energy state, all electrons are in the lowest energy levels available. When atoms or
ions in the “ground state” are heated to high temperatures, some electrons may absorb enough energy to
allow them to “jump” to higher energy levels. The element is then said to be in the “excited state.” This
excited configuration is unstable, and the electrons “fall” back to their normal positions of lower energy
(ground state). As the electrons return to their normal levels, the energy that was absorbed is emitted in
the form of electromagnetic energy. Some of this energy may be in the form of visible light. The color of
this light can be used as a means of identifying the elements involved. Such analysis is known as a flame
test.
To do a flame test on a metallic element, the metal is first dissolved in a solution and the solution
is then held in the hot, blue flame of a Bunsen burner. This test works well for metal ions, and was
perfected by Robert Bunsen (1811 – 1899). Many metallic ions exhibit characteristic colors when
vaporized in the burner flame.
Flame Test Lab

Purpose:

The purpose is to observe the characteristic colors produced by certain metallic ions when
vaporized in a flame and then to identify an unknown metallic ion by means of its flame test.

Materials:

Set of metal chloride solution splints (NaCl, CuCl2, KCl, CaCl2, NiCl2, MgCl2, BaCl2, Unknown)
Bunsen Burner

Safety: Be sure to wear goggles and an apron at all times. Wash your hands afterwards.

Procedure:
1. Light the Bunsen burner and adjust it so that it has a hot blue flame.

2. Hold the splint in the hottest part of the burner flame. Observe the color of the flame. Try not to
catch the splint on fire, because if you do, you can’t reuse it to double check the color of the
flame test. Carefully record your observations in the data table. Be accurate here - your
description of the color must be accurate enough to distinguish this metal ion from the other ions
tested.

3. Repeat for all known solutions.

4. When you have tested all the known solutions and can distinguish the color of each metal ion,
obtain unknown solution and determine which metal ion is present by performing a flame test and
comparing this data to your previous data.
Names ______________________________

Data table:

Metal ion Color of Flame


Sodium
Magnesium
Nickel
Calcium
Barium
Potassium
Copper

Unknown

Based on your observations, identify the unknown you examined:


Unknown is ________________________________

Questions:
1. State at least three limitations that may be involved when using flame tests for identification purposes.

2. Explain how the colors observed in the flame tests are produced. Use a diagram of the Bohr atomic
model to support your explanation.

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