Flame Test 2019.docx

PHYSICAL SCIENCE | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

2ND SEMESTER

FLAME TEST ( EXCITED ATOMS) LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 1 Name: __________________ Grade & Section: _________

Date:______ Group #:___

I. THE FLAME TEST The flame test is a qualitative test used in chemistry to help determine the identity or possible identity of a metal or metalloid ion found in an ionic compound. If the compound is placed in the flame of a gas burner , there may be a characteristic color given off that is visible to the naked eye.

II. SAFETY:  Always use good safety techniques.  Wear chemical slash approved googles .  Wear a chemical apron.  Practice the flame test under the supervision of a chemistry teacher. III. MATERIALS     

Safety goggles Disposable Gloves 2 Beakers 250 – ml Matches/ lighter Metal Ions 1. Strontium Chloride 2. Calcium Chloride / Calcium Nitrate 3. Barium Chloride / Barium Nitrate 4. Potassium Nitrate 5. Copper Sulfate / Copper Nitrate

   

Hydrochloric Acid ( Corrosive!) Distilled Water Nichrome Wire 5 Non- Flammable Containers 6. Copper Chloride 7. Potassium Chlorate 8. Calcium Carbonate 9. Strontium Nitrate 10. Lithium Chloride / Lithium Nitrate

IV. PROCEDURE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Prepare the following metal ions needed for the experiment in a test tube. Label each according to sample number or element name. Use a clean wire loop made of platinum and nickel wire. ( Nichrome wire) Dip the wire loop in a clean distilled water. Next, dip the loop in the powder / metal ions to be tested.

6.

Place the dipped loop from the powder to the hottest portion of the flame. 7. The resulting color of the flame is observed and this may be an indication of a presence of a particular ion. 8. To clean the wire , dip the wire into hydrochloric acid. 9. Then rinse with distilled water. 10. Test the loop by placing it into a gas burner flame. 11. If there is a burst of color , then you did not clean it sufficiently. 12. Repeat the steps using all metal ions.

V. OBSERVATION | Draw your experimental set – up ( flames only). Use appropriate colors

VI. DETERMINE UNKOWN METALS UNKNOWN NO.

FORMULA NAME

PRESENT COLOR

COLOR EMITTED

COLORED SKETCH OF FLAME

1 2 3 4 5

VII. POST LAB QUESTIONS: 1. Why do different chemicals emitt different colors of light? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Why do you think the chemicals need to be heated in the flame first before the colored light is emitted? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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