Name: Date: Section:
Lab #7 Flame Tests
Introduction
When elements are heated to high temperatures, they may enter an excited state. In an excited
state, the electrons move to higher energy levels. The changes in energy that occur when the
excited electron returns to its ground state causes the substance to emit a particle or photon of
light. Each photon of light corresponds to a specific wavelength of light. Excited electrons may
move back to the ground state in one jump or in multiple smaller jumps. Each jump from a
higher energy level to a lower energy levels emits a different wavelength of light. Wavelengths
in the visible spectrum from 400 nm to 700 nm can be seen by the naked eye. The observed
colors or spectrum of the substance is caused by the set of visible wavelengths of light emitted.
Since each element emits a unique set of wavelengths, emission spectra can be used as a tool to
identify the elements.
Representative Wavelength, nm Wavelength Regions, nm Color
410 400-425 Violet
470 425-480 Blue
490 480-500 Blue-green
520 500-560 Green
565 560-580 Yellow-green
580 580-585 Yellow
600 585-650 Orange
650 650-700 Red
One method to demonstrate the emission spectrum of a substance is the flame test. Using this
method, a small amount of substance is heated and the characteristic glow of the substance is
observed. In this experiment you will perform a flame test on several metallic salts. Based on
your observations, you will develop a reference table which lists the flame color for each metal
ion. An ion is an atom that has become charged by gaining or losing electrons. The metal ion
refers to the metallic component of each compound you burn. The metallic ion always comes
first when writing the compound name and always carries a positive charge since all metals have
a tendency to exist as positive ions. (This is because metal atoms tend to lose electrons based on
their electron configurations). You will then perform a flame test on an unknown substance, By
comparing your observations to the data in your data table, you will be able to identify the metal
ion in the unknown substance.
Objectives
1. To observe the spectra emitted from selected ions
2. To identify metallic ions by the color emitted during vaporization
3. Evaluate the usefulness of this method of metal identification
Pre-Lab Questions
1. Based on the introduction above, what happens when elements are heated? In other words,
what happens to the electrons when they absorb energy?
2. When we see the colors, what is the process that is occurring inside the atom? In other
words, what happens to the electrons when they emit energy?
3. According to the introduction above, what is an ion?
4. What kind of charge (positive or negative) would an ion have if it lost electrons? What is it
called?
5. What kind of charge (positive or negative) would an ion have if it gained electrons? What
is it called?
Equipment
Beakers, 250mL, 2
Laboratory burner
Matches or lighter
Watch glasses
Wooden splints soaked in water
Materials
Calcium chloride, CaCl2
Copper II chloride, CaCl2
Lithium chloride, LiCl
Potassium chloride, KCl
Sodium chloride, NaCl
Strontium chloride, SrCl2
Mixture of Sodium chloride and Potassium chloride
Unknown salt
Water, distilled
Water, tap
Safety Precautions
1. Copper II chloride is highly toxic by ingestion; avoid contact with eyes, skin, and mucous
membranes.
2. Lithium chloride is moderately toxic by ingestion and is a body tissue irritant.
3. Fully extinguish the wooden splints by immersing them in a beaker of water before
discarding them in the trash to avoid a trashcan fire.
4. Wear chemical splash goggles, and a chemical-resistant apron.
5. Be careful not to touch the salts with your hands.
6. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the laboratory.
Procedure:
This lab includes multiple stations, one for each elemental salt. You must clean up each station
before moving to the next.
1. Light the Bunsen burner.
2. Place a pea-sized amount of the metallic salt on the watch glass.
3. Dip the soaked end of one of the wooden splints in the metallic salt, then place it in the
flame.
4. Allow the splint to burn until the color fades. Avoid allowing any solid to fall into the
barrel of the Bunsen burner.
5. Immerse the wooden splint in the ‘rinse water’ to fully extinguish it, then discard it in the
trash.
6. Record your observation for the flame color produced by the metallic salt in the Data
Table 1.
7. When time is called, proceed to the next station and repeat steps 2-6.
Data
Data Table 1
Metal Color of Flame
Calcium
Copper
Lithium
Potassium
Sodium
Strontium
Sodium/Potassium mixture
Unknown
Post-Lab Data Analysis
1. What metal ion would you predict to be contained in the sample of the unknown? What
led you to that conclusion?
2. Is the color of light that you visualize a qualitative or quantitative observation?
3. In an earlier lab, what quantitative method was used to identify different metals?
4. Based on your results and observations, would the flame test method be practical to
distinguish between metals in a mixture? If so why? Look back at your results for the
sodium chloride/potassium chloride mixture to framework your answer.
