Joseph Perez Locker No.

24
Experiment No. 10: Flame Test 5/16/11
Sample Calculations:
Ephoton= hc / λ
For the color red λ = 650nm
Ephoton= (6.63 x 10-34 J·s) (299,792,458 m/s) / (650nm) (10-9m/1nm)
Ephoton= 3.06 x 10-19 J
Final Formal Results:
We have observed the colors of the different elements tested in the flames and compared
them to the visible spectrum. Using this, we were able to approximate the wavelengths to find
the energy in joules and the frequency in Hertz.

400nm 500nm 600nm 700nm

Conclusion:
The unknown solution gave off a crimson color. It was observed to have the same color as
the lithium sample. We can conclude that the unknown is lithium. However, strontium also has a
similar color to lithium. We can be able to differentiate by looking at the light spectrum they
emit although it requires special equipment.
Answers to questions:
1. Lithium because it gave off a crimson color which has the lowest frequency and longest
wavelength in the visible spectrum. Potassium had the highest frequency and shortest wavelength
because it gave off the color violet. [ CITATION PVE10 \l 1033 ].
2. Tin gives off a bluish pink color when put in the flame test. It was observed that there were no
signs of tin in the samples.
3. To get the nichrome wire properly purged of excess solutions that was left in the wire. The flame
color that was difficult to observe was lithium and strontium. This is because they both have
similar colors, which is crimson. An alternative method would be to use special equipment to find
the line spectra.
4. The lithium salt solution, because it has one valence electron and few orbitals. The electron do
not need to travel farther to make a trasition because of these few orbitals.
5. The flame gives off heat energy which excites the electrons to move to higher orbits from the
nucleus then return back to ground state to ground state to emit the energy as a color. The part of
the flame where it is dark blue. The loop has to be placed on the hottest part of the flame so that
more energy can be absorbed by the electrons quickly.
 6. Depending on the type of metals, the colors would blend and might make a different color, get
darker, or remain the same.
7. It can be used to check the different colors for firework making.
8. Yes, because their electrons jump to higher orbital levels when excited then fall because down to
emit energy. This will give off a light spectrum which can also be observed even when it is not so
visible to the naked eye.
9. Na 1s22s22p63s1 Sr 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p65s2 Fe 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d6
Cu 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s1
10.

Element Energy in Joules Frequency in Hertz

Sodium 3.31 x 10-19 J 484THz
Strontium 2.92 x 10-19 J 430 THz
Barium 3.61 x 10-19 J 526 THz
Calcium 3.06 x 10-19 J 484 THz
Potassium 4.97 x 10-19 J 668 THz
Copper 3.97 x 10-19 J 606 THz
Lithium 2.84 x 10-19 J 410 THz

References:

PV Education. (2010). Energy of a Photon. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from pveducation.org:
http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/energy-of-photon

Volland, D. W. (2004, January 14). Spectroscopy: Element Identification and Emission Spectra. Retrieved May 15,
2011, from 800mainstreet.com: http://www.800mainstreet.com/spect/emission-flame-exp.html

WebMineral. (n.d.). Flame Tests. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from webmineral.com:
http://webmineral.com/help/FlameTest.shtml