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Grade 9 - Science Activity Sheet

Name:______________ Yr. & Sec.:____ Date:_____ Score:_______

The Flame Test

Activity 1.1
I. Objectives:

1.Determine the characteristic of colors that metal salts and alkali

metals emit;
2.Relate the colors emitted by metal salts and alkali metals to the
structure of the atom;
3.State observation in the colors emitted by metal salts and alkali
metals to Bohr’s model of the atom.

II. Materials Needed

 0.50 grams of each of the following metal salts:
Calcium chloride 6 pcs watch glass
Sodium chloride 1 pc 10-ml graduated cylinder
Sodium chloride 1 pc dropper
Copper(II) sulfate safety matches
Potassium chloride DepEd Learning Material: pp.98-104
100 mL 95% Ethanol (or ethyl alcohol)
100 mL Boric acid
3 M hydrochloric acid
Note: Video Clip Actual Presentation of Flame Test of Metal Salts and
Alkali Metals
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS77SPywI9w .
III. Procedure:
1. Place each metal salt on a watch glass and add 2 to 3 drops of 3 M
hydrochloric acid.
2. Pour about 3 - 5 mL or enough ethyl alcohol to cover the size of a 1
peso coin in the first watch glass. Light with a match and observe the
color of the flame. (This will serve as reference for comparison of the
flame color). Wait for the flame to be extinguished or put out on its
own.
3. Repeat procedure No. 2 for each salt. Observe the color of the flame.
Precautions:
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1. Wear goggles, gloves and a safety apron while performing the

activity.
2. Do this activity in a well-ventilated area.
3. Handle hydrochloric acid with care because it is corrosive.
4. Ethyl alcohol is flammable.
5. Be careful to extinguish all matches after use.
6. Write your observation in a table below.

IV. Observation / Discussion:

Table 1. Color of Flame of Metal Salts

Alkali Metals Tested Color of the Flame

Lithium

Sodium

Potassium

Calcium

Strontium

Barium

Copper

Guide Questions:
1. Why do you think there are different colors emitted?

2. What particles in the heated compounds are responsible for the

production of the colored ?

3. How did the scientists explain the relationship between the colors
observed and the structure of the atom?

4. Explain how your observation in activity 1 relates to Bohr’s model of

the atom. You can explain using an illustration.

5. Which illustration below represents the energy of the electron as

described by Bohr? Explain your answer.
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a. b.

Table 2. Color of Flame of Alkali Metals

Metal Salt Tested Element Producing Color Color of the Flame

Boric acid

Calcium chloride

Sodium chloride

Potassium chloride

Copper(II) sulfate

Lithium chloride

Barium chloride

Strontium chloride

V. Drawing /Illustration :

https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/428120/view/flame-test-sequence

VI. Conclusion:
Therefore________________________________________________
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