GUNDECHA EDUCATION ACADEMY

X ICSE CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL

Experiment # 3

Flame test

Aim: To identify the cations from the given sample by using flame test.

Apparatus: Salt, test tubes, watch glass, spatula, Pltinum or Nichrome loop, Bunsen burner, conc.
HCl.

Principle: Flame test is a qualitative process for determining the particular metal ion depending on
the colour of the produced flame when the sample is heated. Metal ions gain energy and shift from a
lower energy level to higher energy level but are not stable at a high energy level and they returns to
the ground with energy release. The energy is released in the form of light and it vary from one metal
ion to other. Thus each metal ion gives the characteristic colour change, when it is heated.

(i) Concentrated hydrochloric acid is used because metal chloride salts have low thermal
ignition temperature and gives characteristic colour change to the flame at lower
temperature.

(ii) Platinum loop is used as it is inert in nature and will not impart its own colour to the
flame.

Procedure:

The given salt is mixed with concentrated hydrochloric acid to form a paste of it. The paste is kept on
the platinum loop.

The platinum loop is brought in contact with non luminous or oxidizing flame (blue flame) and the
colour change is observed.

Observation:

Sr. No. Metal ion Colour of the flame

1 Na+1 Golden yellow colour
2 K+1 Lilac colour
3 Ca+2 Brick red colour
4 Cu+2 Blue- green colour

Precaution: The platinum wire must be clean (free from the pre contained salt) as otherwise it will
affect the result. It can be done by immersing the platinum loop in small amount of conc. HCl taken
in the test tube and heating it several times till no colour change is observed.

Conclusion: The metal ions are thus identified on the basis of colour of the flame obtained.