Flame Tests of Positive Metal Ions

Dip a wire loop into concentrated acid, then into a powder of the element, and pass through a hot
Bunsen flame
Lithium – Red
Calcium – Orange
Sodium – Blue-yellow
Copper – Green
Potassium – Lilac

Sodium Hydroxide Test

React the element with a solution of sodium hydroxide.
Copper (II) Hydroxide – Blue
Iron (II) Hydroxide – Green
Iron(III) Hydroxide – Orange-red
Aluminium – White (dissolves in excess NaOH)
Magnesium – White (insoluble)
Calcium: also produces white precipitate, but has a flame colour, while Mg and Al do not
Ammonia: strong smell of ammonia, turns damp litmus paper blue when warm

Carbonates:
Carbonates fizz when an acid is added, since carbon dioxide is given off. This gas can be identified
by bubbling through lime water: a white precipitate will form

Halides:
Solutions of halides produce precipitates of silver halides, when reacted with nitric acid and silver
nitrate.
Silver Chloride: White
Silver Bromide: Cream
Silver Iodide: Yellow (almost cream)
The nitric acid is added to remove interfering ions: e.g. hydroxides or carbonates.