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PW Flame Tests

The document outlines an experiment to determine if compounds can be identified through flame tests, which reveal specific metal ions' characteristic emission spectra. It details the materials needed, the experimental procedure, and includes research questions about elements, compounds, and the periodic table. The experiment aims to teach students the basic chemistry procedure and its applications in identifying substances.

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andreloreseverini
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12 views2 pages

PW Flame Tests

The document outlines an experiment to determine if compounds can be identified through flame tests, which reveal specific metal ions' characteristic emission spectra. It details the materials needed, the experimental procedure, and includes research questions about elements, compounds, and the periodic table. The experiment aims to teach students the basic chemistry procedure and its applications in identifying substances.

Uploaded by

andreloreseverini
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Flame Tests?

Can you Really Identify an Element


or a Compound by Putting it into a Flame?

Objective:
 To determine whether it is possible to identify
a compound by using a flame test.
Download Project
Research Questions:

 What is an element?
 What is a compound?
 What is an ion?
 What is the Periodic Table of Elements? How is it used?
 In the flame test, what happens to the metal ions that results in the
emission of visible light?

This experiment serves to students with basic procedure frequently used in


chemistry, called a flame test which is used to detect the presence of specific
metal ions. This process is based on our knowledge of each elements
characteristic emission spectrum. For example, we know that when we heat
calcium we get an orange flame, when we heat lead we get a blue flame, when
we heat sodium we get an intense yellow flame. In conducting the flame test,
we simply take a sample of the substance, using a platinum wire and place it in
a hot flame we then observe the colour. A platinum or nichrome wire is used,
formed into a loop to hold the substance being tested and then cleaned using
dilutes hydrochloric acid. For example, copper will yield a blue flame, iron will
give us a gold colour and magnesium will yield a brilliant white. In industry, the
flame test is very useful for the identification of polymers. It is also used in salt
analysis.
Materials:

 dilute hydrochloric acid


 distilled water
 4 test tubes
 Test tube
 rack
 3 chloride test solutions ( sodium, potassium, calcium)
 sodium fluoride
 spark igniter
 Bunsen burner
 wire and holder
 two small beakers
 safety glasses
 gloves
 apron

Experimental Procedure:

1. Line up your test tubes in the test tube rack.


2. Take out your labels and write out the names of each of the compounds
you will be flame testing. These include sodium chloride, potassium
chloride, calcium chloride and sodium fluoride. Paste them on each of
the test tubes.
3. Make a copy of the chart provided below so that you can readily enter
your observations as you conduct the flame test on each of the
compounds.
4. Light the Bunsen burner. Regulate the flame. Take the wire, place it in
the dilute HCL and then into the distilled water so that it is absolutely
clean. Now test the wire to make certain it is clean by holding it with the
wooden handle and placing it in the flame of the burner under it is red
hot.
5. Begin the tests, dip the clean wire into each of the test solutions, one at a
time, now place the wire in the flame and observe the changes in color
for each one of the solutions. Make certain to clean the wire after each
trial. Record your observations in your data chart.
6. Carefully clean up the remaining solutions and chemicals.
7. Review your observations. What do you conclude? Write up your report.
Make certain to include all of the research you completed in answering
the questions under questions for background research.

Chart for Recording Observations is provided below

Compound Color of Flame


Calcium chloride
Potassium chloride
Sodium chloride
Sodium fluoride

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