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Lab 4.1b - Flame Tests

Electrons in atoms normally exist in a ground state but can be excited to higher energy levels when exposed to heat from a flame. When electrons drop back down, they emit photons of light at specific frequencies that are unique to each element, producing distinct flame colors. Through flame tests, salts containing different metal ions can be identified by the color they produce in a flame, as each metal emits a characteristic spectrum. Fireworks use this principle by including various metal salts to create colorful displays.

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192 views2 pages

Lab 4.1b - Flame Tests

Electrons in atoms normally exist in a ground state but can be excited to higher energy levels when exposed to heat from a flame. When electrons drop back down, they emit photons of light at specific frequencies that are unique to each element, producing distinct flame colors. Through flame tests, salts containing different metal ions can be identified by the color they produce in a flame, as each metal emits a characteristic spectrum. Fireworks use this principle by including various metal salts to create colorful displays.

Uploaded by

Rex David Castro
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 PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lab 4.

1b Chemistry I/H
Flame Tests
BACKGROUND

Why do we see colors in a flame test?


The electrons in an atom occupy different energy levels, as you know. When all of
the electrons are at the lowest possible energy level they are said to be in the ground
state. Electrons do not always stay in the ground state. Sometimes they can be
promoted to a higher-energy electron shell. When an atom is in the flame, an electron
in the outer shell of that atom receives energy from the flame and jumps up to a
higher-energy shell position. When an electron is in a higher-energy shell it is said to
be in an excited state.

Electrons in excited states do not usually stay in them for very long. When electrons
lose their energy they do so by emitting a photon of light. Photons are particles with
energy but no mass. Their energy is directly proportional to the frequency of the light.
The photons emitted precisely match the quantum energy difference between the
excited state and the ground state.

The light produced by very hot atoms in the gaseous state is a unique spectrum for each element. To observe the spectrum
requires the use of a prism, diffraction grating, or spectroscope. However, before complex instruments were invented, to
observe elemental spectra chemists sometimes identified metals in compounds by doing a flame test.

Salts are a type of compound that include a metal and a non-metal. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is the most familiar example of a
salt but others include calcium chloride(CaCl2) and copper(II) chloride (CuCl2). In flame tests, salts that are dissolved in water
are evaporated using a hot flame. In the flame, the metal atoms become excited and produce their characteristic spectrum of
light. However, since the observer does not use a spectroscope only one color is observed. Many metals produce a unique
single color under these conditions, while other metals produce very similar colors that only practiced eye can distinguish. An
experienced scientist, based on a comparison between the color observed and the known colors produced by different metallic
salts can identify the salt. We will try our ability to identify an unknown salt during the flame test lab.

This ability of metal atoms to produce these colors is put to use in the making of fireworks. By including different metal salts,
or mixtures of metal salts, in the exploding shell of a firework, firework manufactures can produce beautiful displays in nearly
all the colors of the rainbow.

Revised: 2019-09-25
Lab 4.1b Chemistry I/H
Flame Tests
I. PURPOSE
To identify metallic ions in solution by observing the emissions of light when they are heated.

II. MATERIALS
1. Paper clips 3. Unmarked solutions of:
2. Crucible tongs NaNO3, CaNO3, CuNO3, Sr(NO3)2, LiNO3, KNO3

III. PROCEDURES
1. Set up and light the Bunsen burner.
2. Straighten a paper clip. Hold the paper clip in the crucible tongs and wet the end with the first solution.
3. Hold the wet end of the paper clip in the Bunsen burner flame. Record the colors seen in the flame. Dispose of the
hot paper clip in the match can. (Read Calculation # 1. These are the colors that should be observed.)
4. Repeat for each of the samples.

IV. PRE-LAB QUESTIONS


1. What safety considerations should be made for this lab?
2. Why must a fresh paper clip be used for each test?
3. How are the formulas of the solutions alike?
4. How is the procedure above similar to the process used in the spectroscopy lab?

V. DATA & CALCULATIONS


A. DATA

Data Table 1 – Observed Colors of Flame


Sample Color(s)

B. CALCULATIONS
1. Using the information below, identify each of the samples. Repeat tests necessary to confirm data. Make a list
identifying each sample.
Blue-green Flame – copper
Pink Flame – potassium
Red Flame – lithium
Scarlet Flame - strontium
Yellow-red Flame – calcium
Yellow-orange Flame – sodium

VI. POST-LAB QUESTIONS


1. What accounts for the different colors observed in the flames?
2. What other properties might be used to identify metals?
3. Why were all of the metallic ions combined with the nitrate ion?
4. What would the colors look like if viewed by a spectroscope rather than the naked eye?
5. How would the emission spectrum of the lithium have been different if a copper wire was used instead of a paper
clip?

VII. CONCLUSION

Revised: 2019-09-25

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