STUDENT HANDOUT

9D – FLAME TEST

How can you identify a substance based on the color of its flame?

 Beaker filled with distilled water, 100-mL (8)
 Beaker for waste, 250-mL (8)
 Bunsen burner
 Flint striker or matches
 Calcium chloride, CaCl2(s), 5 g
 Copper(II) chloride, CuCl2(s), 5 g
 Lithium chloride, LiCl(s), 5 g
 Potassium chloride, KCl(s), 5 g
 Sodium chloride, NaCl(s), 5 g
 Barium nitrate, Ba(NO3)2(s), 5 g
 Strontium nitrate, Sr(NO3)2(s), 5 g
 Unknown sample, 5 g
 Cotton swabs or wooden splints
 Sampling bottles such as film canisters (8)

The normal configuration of the electrons about the atom or ion of an element is called the “ground
state.” The electrons of this stable particle are at their lowest possible energy level. However, when
these stable particles are heated to very high temperatures, some of the electrons leave their ground
state and become “excited.” That is, these electrons move to a higher energy level and do so by
absorbing energy. This excited state is unstable and the electrons tend to return to their ground state.

As these electrons return to the ground state they release the absorbed heat energy in the form of
electromagnetic energy. Some of this released energy falls in the visible light region of the
electromagnetic spectrum. The color of the visible light released can confirm the identity of an element.
This technique of confirmation is called a flame test.

Follow these important safety precautions in addition to your regular classroom procedures.
 Wear safety goggles at all times.
 Clean up all spills.
 Wash hands when finished.
 Use extra care when moving from station to station.
 Use caution around open flames.
 Tie back long hair, roll up long sleeves, and remove dangling jewelry.
 If using matches, light the match before turning on the gas.
 If using a flint striker, make sure you know how to produce a spark before turning on the gas.

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 STUDENT HANDOUT

1. Put your safety goggles on. Do not take them off until all students have completed the experiment.

2. Light the Bunsen burner and adjust the flame to its hottest position.

3. Find the formula of the salt being used in the table. Write the name of the metal in the appropriate
column.

4. Dip the tip of the cotton swab or wooden coffee stirrer into a beaker with water.

5. Place the tip directly into the salt to get a sample.

6. Place the sample in Bunsen burner flame.

7. Record your qualitative information about the excited electrons in Table 1 on your answer sheet.

Use adjectives to describe different shades of red and green (ex. red orange, yellow green). Only sodium has a
bright yellow-orange color. You should look for the other color present if you see this color as an impurity in
other salts (ex. potassium).
8. Place used cotton swabs or wooden coffee stirrers into the waste beaker.

Do not put the hot cotton swabs or coffee stirrers directly in the trash or in the sink.
9. Rotate to the next lab stations (including the unknown) and repeat steps 4-8.

10. When you get to the unknown substance, record the number from the bottle in the space provided at
the bottom of Table 1.

Complete the analysis on your answer sheet.

Answer the questions on your answer sheet.

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