BCB 103L

Experiment 3

Name of the Experiment: Test of Cations by Flame test

Principle

When atoms or ions are heated, they gain kinetic energy; some electrons may absorb enough
energy (photon) to “jump” to higher energy levels (excited state). Excited electrons do not last
long in the higher energy levels (unstable state); the electrons will “fall” back to their ground
state and release the extra energy (equal to the difference between ground state and excited
state).

The spacing between energy levels in an atom determines the sizes of the transitions that occur,
and thus the energy and wavelengths of the collection of photons emitted:

The Rydberg’s equation can be used to predict the wavelength of light resulting from an electron
moving between energy levels of an atom:

If emitted photons are in the visible region of the spectrum, they may be perceived as lines of
different colors (note that photons outside the visible spectrum may also be emitted, but cannot
be seen by eye). The result is called a line emission spectrum, and can serve as a ‘fingerprint’ of
the element to which the atoms belong. For example, the line spectra shown below for the
elements helium and carbon are clearly quite different.

Helium

Carbon
BCB 103L
Experiment 3
Unfortunately, techniques more sophisticated than those used in this lab are required to obtain
such line spectra. To the naked eye, when an element is vaporized in a flame (or an electrical
discharge) the emission spectrum will appear to be just one color. For example, helium gas
when excited by an electrical discharge emits light that appears an orange-peach color. This
one color results from a combination of all lines of the emission spectrum, in proportion to their
intensities. As many elements will still produce distinctive colors under such conditions, simple
flame tests can be used to identify these elements. In fact, flame tests were used to identify
elements long before the invention of modern techniques, such as emission spectroscopy.

Chemicals Required 6. Concentrated Hydrochloric Acid

Apparatus Required
1. Any Lithium Salt: LiCl
2. Any Sodium Salt: NaCl 1. Platinum/ Nichrome wire
3. Any Potassium Salt: KI 2. Petri dish or a Watch Glass
4. Any Calcium Salt: CaCl 2 3. Bunsen Burner
5. Any Copper (II) Salt: CuSO 4 4. Matchstick
BCB 103L
Experiment 3
Procedure

1. Put about 10 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid into a clean, dry 50 mL beaker.

2. Clean the wire loop. To do this, dip the loop in the acid and then heat the loop in the outer
edge of the burner flame. Continue to clean the loop until no color is observed in the flame.

3. Dip the clean wire into one of the solutions. Place the loop in the outer edge of the burner
flame and move the loop up and down. Note the color in the flame. Watch closely, looking for
the first hint of color observed. Record your observations in a data table.

4. Clean the wire loop and repeat step 3 with a different solution. Test each solution, cleaning
the loop thoroughly between each test. Record all observations in a data table.

Observation and Results

Cations: Colour of Flame:

Li+

Na+

K+

Ca2+

Cu2+

Discussion

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Useful Links
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEUbBAGw14k
 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EXr_L7Ojqg
BCB 103L
Experiment 3

Exercise
1. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum helps us see colour?
2. What inaccuracies may be involved in using flame tests for identification purposes?
3. Explain what errors may be present in this experiment.
4. How can you improve this lab to avoid any inaccuracies?