Activity No.

2 (85%)
Flame Tests

Name: Varon S. Sulit, Kaye R. Deguzman,  Year/Section: First year, BSMT1A

Pauleane V. Dagasdas, Zheena Enriquez

Date Performed: 09/01/2021 Date Submitted: 09/01/2021

Flame Tests(wrong calculation of energy)

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

CaCl2 Orange 620 3.208x10-33 kJ/mol e-
LiCl Red 660 3.014x10-33 kJ/mol e-
CuCl2 Blue Green 480 4.141x10-33 kJ/mol e-
NaCl Yellow 580 3.427x10-33 kJ/mol e-
KCl Violet 420 4.735x10-33 kJ/mol e-
SrCl2 Red 660 3.014x10-33 kJ/mol e-
BaCl2 Yellow Green 565 3.520 x10-33 kJ/mol e-

V. Questions
1. Why do different metals have different characteristic flame test colors? (wrong)

● Different metals produce different flame colors because of their different make up
and structures.

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

3. Why do the chemicals have to be heated in the flame before the colored light is emitted?
● The reason chemical needs to be heated in the flame before the colored light is
emitted is that the heat gives the energy of the electrons moving them to the excited
state and it will move to a higher energy level.
4. Could flame tests be useful in determining identities of metals in a mixture of two or
more salts? Explain your answer.
● No, and yes. When one or more metal ions are present, a flame test will only reveal
the brighter or more apparent flame of a particular metal ion. For example, sodium
emits a brilliant orange flame, but potassium emits a subtle lavender light. If you
have a mixture including both ions, you will most likely only see the stronger orange
flame and so deduce that sodium is present but will be unable to distinguish the
potassium. As a result, it is only useful in limited situations.