Activity No.

2
Flame Tests

Link for this experiment: https://youtu.be/1L-BTSv-ksI

I. Objectives

1. To identify the different emission spectra of elements.

2. To recognize the importance of Bohr atomic model in the emission of lights.

II. Introduction

Electrons in an atom occupy different energy levels. 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. This can happen in two ways. First, the
electron can absorb a photon of just the right amount of energy to move it from one quantum
shell to another. Second, when atoms are heated or energized with electricity their electrons can
gain energy. This promotes them to the higher-energy shell. 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 (remember: E = h). 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. This ability of metal atoms to
produce these colors is put to use by practitioners of the art of fireworks manufacture. By including
different metal salts, or mixtures of metal salts, in the exploding shell of a firework, these artists can
produce beautiful displays in nearly all the colors of the rainbow.

In this experiment, we are going to observe a unique single color of metals using flame tests. It is a
traditional art of the chemistry laboratory to use these colors to identify specimens of compounds that
contain unknown metals.

III. Materials/Reagents

(10) 10-mL test tubes 6 M Solutions of the following salts:

Test Tube Rack CaCl2, LiCl, CuCl2, KCl, NaCl and SrCl2
Inoculating loop Two unknown metal chlorides (6 M)
Bunsen Burner
Safety

 Wear goggles or risk sitting out the lab

 Treat all chemicals in this lab as toxic. Do not touch any of them with your bare hands.
 Wash well with water immediately if you touch chemicals accidentally
 Use caution with the burner
o Do not leave burner unattended
o Place burner near middle of lab bench
o Tie back long hair
o Do not wear baggy clothing in the lab
o Hot objects look like cold objects: be cautious!
 CuCl2 (Copper(II) Chloride) is highly toxic by ingestion; avoid contact with eyes, skin and mucus
membranes.
 LiCl (Lithium Chloride) is moderately toxic by ingestion; avoid contact with eyes, skin and mucus
membranes.
 Wash your hands with soap and water after you complete the day’s lab work, even if you didn’t
touch any chemicals directly

IV. Procedure

1. Clean the inoculation loop using distilled water (3 x) and heat each time you change from one
metal salt to another. Failing to do so will result in mixed flame test colors. Again, do not over
heat the loop.
2. Obtain 8 test tubes and label them properly with the name of the salt solutions as indicated in
the laboratory sheet.
3. Place 20 drops of solution and do the flame test.
4. To do a flame test with each metal salt get a film of the solution of a salt inside the loop and
bring it into the hottest part of the flame. If this produces poor color then try the edge of the
burner flame. Repeat the dip into the salt solution as often as necessary to see the flame test
color. Be sure not to over-heat the loop.
5. Carefully note the color of each metal salt when it is put in the flame. Use the chart below to
estimate the approximate wavelength of the color you see.
6. Use the representative wavelength value to determine the energy emitted per mole of electron
that is excited.
7. Clean out the test tube using the method recommended by your instructor (hazardous wastes
must be disposed of properly). Usually, all leftover solutions will be collected in designated
waste containers for hazardous waste disposal.
 Activity No. 2
Flame Tests

Name: Pascual, Grace Ann C, Date Performed: 09-01-20

Year/Section:BSMT-1B Date Submitted: 09-02-20

Flame Tests

Test Reagent Observation Wavelength (nm) Energy (kJ/mole e-)

BaCl2 Barium gives a green 525 nm 215.62 kJ/mole e-
color.
LiCl Lithium gives a 627. 12 nm 180.66 kJ/mole e-
crimson color.
CuCl2 Copper gives a blue 480 nm 236.03 kJ/mole e-
green color.
NaCl Sodium gives a 580 nm 195.14 kJ/mole e-
yellow color.
KCl Potassium gives a 549.19 nm 206.29 kJ/mole e-
lilac color.
SrCl2 Strontium gives a red 660 nm 171.66 kJ/mole e-
color.
Unknown 1
Unknown 2
V. Questions

1. Why do different metals have different characteristic flame test colors?

The colors in the flame test occur because of emission spectrum. The electrons in the
metal gets exited when heat is provided. The color of each metal is different because when an
electron drops its energy level, it emits a quantum of energy. The color of the light will depends
on the difference in the energy levels. Every elements has its own characteristics of energy level.
The different energy of each atom will produce the difference of color of flame for each metal.

2. What colors did the unknowns produce in the flame? What are the unknowns?

The unknown salt produces a red color. Based on the previous experiment, the
experimenter deduced that the unknown salt is strontium.

3. Why do the chemicals have to be heated in the flame before the colored light is emitted?

The chemical have to be heated first because the electrons needs to get excited for them to
emit the different colors of flame.

4. Could flame tests be useful in determining identities of metals in a mixture of two or more salts?
Explain your answer.

The flame test can help in determining the identities of metals. But it’s not so useful if there are
two or more salts that needs to identify.

For example, Sodium and potassium in the fire. If you observe them together in the fire there is
a possibility that you can only identify one of the chemicals and not notices the other. As the stronger
orange flame is more noticeable than the delicate lilac color flame.