Activity on Flame Test

I.Introduction:

Many substances have elements like iron in roofs, gold in jewelries, mercury from barometer or
old thermometer and others that are useful in our home and in industry. They are metals which are
combined to form compounds. These metals can be differentiated one from the others by flame test.
In this experiment, you will observe through video or documented burnt element or ion, the result of
the colors emitted by the electrons.

II.Objectives:

At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:

a).Identify metals by flame test.

b).orally explain one’s observation based on scientific facts.

III. Materials:

Metals from compounds in households: salt(NaCl), Aluminum(Al) from foil, Tin(Sn) from softdrink
can, Copper(Cu) from electrical wire), Iron(Fe) from nail

Match or lighter

Porcelain bowl

Denatured alcohol

Blackened pan as background

Pan holder

IV. Procedure:

1. Prepare small amount of metallic compounds or elements each in separate containers or clean
paper.
2. Put salt particles in a porcelain bowl. Add small amount of denatured alcohol.
3. Place the bowl against black pan to have a black background.
4. Ignite the denatured alcohol using splinter of wood or candle and observe the color of the flame.
5. Record the result of the color of the flame.
6. Cool the porcelain. Wash with ordinary water and wipe with dry cloth.
7. Repeat procedures 2 – 6 by putting the next particle Al and record the color of the flame.
8. Repeat procedures 2 – 6 by putting Sn, then the other elements or compounds separately and
record the color of the flame.

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V.Result and Observation:

Compound of Color of Flame

Sodium

Aluminum

Tin

Iron

Copper

Questions:

1.On the basis of the theory of metallic state, explain the different physical properties of metals.

2.Which of the alkali metal has the ionization energy, and why?

3.Explain the chemical characteristics of metals.

VI. Conclusion:
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