Honors Chemistry: Lab: FLAME TESTS FOR METALS

PURPOSE: To observe and identify metallic ions using flame tests.

PRELAB: READ THIS INTRODUCTION AND THE PROCEDURE AS THE LIGHTS WILL BE OFF DURING THIS LAB
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.

Is the flame test fun? Yes!!!! But… what is/was a flame test used for?

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.

Further explanation of the 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.

In this laboratory activity, the characteristic color of light emitted for various metal ions will be observed.

Real world use: 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.
Optional: If you are interested in learning more about the chemistry of fireworks refer to the below sites. (Use the
document posted on our website for active links.
 NOVA from WGBH: Fireworks! (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/)
 Chemical of the Week: Fireworks! from the University of Wisconsin
(http://www.scifun.org/CHEMWEEK/fireworks/fireworks.htm)
  A Chemical and Engineering News article about Fireworks
(http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/7927sci3.html)

Limitations of the Flame Test

 The test cannot detect low concentrations of most ions.

 The brightness of the signal varies from one sample to another. For example, the yellow emission from sodium is
much brighter than the red emission from the same amount of lithium.

 Impurities or contaminants affect the test results. Sodium, in particular, is present in most compounds and will
color the flame. Sometimes a cobalt glass is used to filter out the yellow of sodium.

 The test cannot differentiate between all elements. Several metals produce the same flame color. Some
compounds do not change the color of the flame at all

Flame Test Colors:

Symbol Element Color
As Arsenic Blue
B Boron Bright green
Ba Barium Pale/Yellowish Green
Ca Calcium Orange to red
Cs Cesium Blue
Cu(I Copper(I) Blue
Copper(II) non-
Cu(II) Green
halide
Cu(II) Copper(II) halide Blue-green
Fe Iron Gold
In Indium Blue
K Potassium Lilac to red
Li Lithium Magenta to carmine

Mg Magnesium Bright white

Mn(II) Manganese(II) Yellowish green
Mo Molybdenum Yellowish green
Na Sodium Intense yellow
P Phosphorus Pale bluish green
Pb Lead Blue
Rb Rubidium Red to purple-red
Sb Antimony Pale green
Se Selenium Azure blue
Sr Strontium Crimson
Te Tellurium Pale green
Tl Thallium Pure green
Bluish green to whitish
Zn Zinc
green
MATERIALS
Barium chloride, BaCl2 • 2H2O Beaker of Distilled Water
Calcium chloride, CaCl2 • 2H2 Bunsen Burner
Copper (II) chloride Safety Goggles
Lithium chloride, LiCl Nichrome wire
Potassium chloride, KCl
Sodium chloride, NaCl
Unknown
SAFETY FIRST ! ! !
In this lab, the solutions you will be using contain harmful materials. Avoid skin contact with these chemicals. Observe all
precautions, especially the ones listed below.
 WEAR YOUR SAFETY GOGGLES.
 DO NOT TASTE ANY OF THE SUBSTANCES OR TOUCH THEM WITH YOUR HANDS.
 RETURN OR DISPOSE OF ALL MATERIALS ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR TEACHER.
 WASH YOUR HANDS.
 ALWAYS DRESS LAB APPROPRIATELY (LONG HAIR BACK, CLOSED TOE SHOES, NO LOOSE CLOTHING OR DANGLING JEWELRY.
PROCEDURES:
1. Light your Bunsen burner carefully using the striker and directions given by the teacher. Adjust the flame to the correct size
and color (orange to start).
2. Be sure to always leave the Bunsen burner on the safety (orange) flame unless heating a test compound! One lab partner
should be supervising the flame at all times. DO NOT leave the flame unattended!
3. Place the nichrome wire in the flame. Hold the nichrome wire in the flame until the flame is a consistent orange color.
4. Switch your Bunsen burner to the heating (blue) flame. Being careful NOT to drop wire, hold the wire loop in the flame and
burn to show color. (Exercise caution and be sure to carefully hold the end of the wire loop furthest away from the flame).
5. Place the nichrome wire in the test solution and then back into the flame.
6. Record the first color that you see in your data table for the solution you tested.
7. Dip the clean nichrome wire in the distilled water beaker to clean.
8. Place the nichrome wire in the next solution.
9. Repeat steps 2-8 for all seven test tubes.
8. Turn off the Bunsen burner as instructed by teacher. Make sure all equipment is cleaned and placed in lab kit/lab counter.
9. Pour used distilled water into waste container and place container into sink.
DATA TABLE I: COLOR OF LIGHT OF IONS
ION FLAME COLOR

Barium, Ba2+

Calcium, Ca2+

COPPER, CU2+

LITHIUM, LI+

POTASSIUM, K+

SODIUM, NA+

UNKNOWN (ION NAME?)

Calculations:
Directions: Use your data and the information below to calculate the wavelength, frequency, and energy for each of your ions
in the lab including the unknown. Be sure to show all work and units.

Background: The color of the flame may be described in terms of its wavelength, and Equation 1 and Equation 2 may be used
to calculate the energy of the emitted photon.

E = hν - Equation 1 c = λν - Equation 2
E = difference in energy between the two energy levels in joules (J)
h = Plank’s constant (h = 6.626 * 10-34 J*s)
c = speed of light (c = 3.0 * 108 m/s)
λ = (lambda) wavelength of light in meters
ν = (nu) frequency of a wave in seconds

Representative Wavelength (nm) Wavelength Region (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

Analysis:
1. Place the six substances in order from highest wavelength to lowest wavelength.
2. The alkali metals Cesium and Rubidium were discovered based on their characteristic flame colors. Cesium is named
after the sky and Rubidium after the gem color. What colors do you think these metals give off when heated in a
flame?
3. How do you think metallic salts are used in fireworks? Explain.
4. What is one source of error that could cause the wrong-colored flame to be produced? Explain.
5. Flame tests provide evidence that electrons do occupy different energy levels. Explain how elements produce different
colors?
6. Why do different chemicals emit different colors of light?
7. Why do you think the chemicals have to be heated in the flame first before the colored light is emitted?
Conclusion:
Follow conclusion paragraph requirements.