Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 6 views

    Flame Test

    Uploaded by

    Andrew Moszuti

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Flame Test

    Uploaded by

    Andrew Moszuti
    6 views2 pages

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    6 views2 pages

    Flame Test

    Uploaded by

    Andrew Moszuti

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Name: ______________________

    Flame Tests - “Rainbow Demonstration”

    Introduction
    When elements are strongly heated they produce different colored flames. These colors
    have a specific wavelength and frequency that are unique for each element. Bohr
    theorized that electrons have specific energy values, which he called energy levels. Bohr
    thought that the energy levels for electrons were quantized, meaning that only specific
    energy levels were possible around the nucleus of an atom. Electrons move between
    energy levels by gaining or losing a specific amounts of energy. When this occurs, we say
    that the electron undergoes a transition from one energy level to another.
    An electron in a low energy level can absorb energy and undergo a transition to a higher
    energy level. When that electron returns to the ground state, it loses energy by emitting a
    photon, which is a tiny particle that behaves like a wave and travels at the speed of light.
    If the photon is travelling with a wavelength and frequency within the visible light
    spectrum, it will have a color that can be seen.

    The speed of light (c), wavelength () and frequency () are related by the following
    equation:
    c=
    In this demonstration you will observe the color of light that is emitted when different
    metals are heated, estimate the wavelength or frequency of the light indicated in the data
    table (using a copy of the visible light spectrum chart), and identify unknown metals with
    your observations. You will then practice calculating wavelength and frequency from the
    data collected.

    Fill in the data table as you make your observations. Report wavelength in nanometers
    (nm) and frequency in terahertz (THz).

    Compound Name Formula Metal Color Wavelength Frequency


    Barium Chloride
    Calcium Chloride

    Copper II Chloride

    Lithium Chloride

    Potassium Chloride

    Sodium Chloride

    Strontium Chloride

    UNKNOWN #1

    UNKNOWN #2

    American Association of Chemistry Teachers |1-395 1


    Post Lab Calculations and Questions
    1. Identify the two unknown metals based on the color of light they emitted:

    a. Unknown 1

    b. Unknown 2

    2. Convert the wavelength of the following metals to meters (1nm = 1x10-9m). Then
    calculate the frequency of the light emitted and convert to THz (1THz = 1x1012 Hz):

    a. Barium

    b. Calcium

    c. Copper

    d. Lithium

    e. Unknown 1

    3. Convert the frequency of the following metals to Hz. Then calculate the wavelength
    of the light emitted, converting to nm:

    a. Potassium

    b. Sodium

    c. Strontium

    d. Unknown 2

    4. When a glass rod is heated, a yellow-green flame is observed around the point
    where it is heated. What does the yellow flame indicate might be present in the
    glass?

    5. How do you think that metallic salts are used in fireworks?

    6. Two bottles containing white powders have lost their labels. How could you
    determine which bottle contained strontium nitrate and which contained potassium
    sulfate?

    American Association of Chemistry Teachers |1-395 2

    You might also like