PHYSICAL SCIENCE | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2ND SEMESTER

FLAME TEST ( EXCITED ATOMS)

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 1
Name: __________________ Date:______
Grade & Section: _________ Group #:___
I. THE FLAME TEST
The flame test is a qualitative test used in chemistry to help determine the identity or possible identity of a metal or metalloid ion
found in an ionic compound. If the compound is placed in the flame of a gas burner , there may be a characteristic color given off that
is visible to the naked eye.
II. SAFETY:
 Always use good safety techniques.
 Wear chemical slash approved googles .
 Wear a chemical apron.
 Practice the flame test under the supervision of a chemistry teacher.
III. MATERIALS
 Safety goggles  Hydrochloric Acid ( Corrosive!)
 Disposable Gloves  Distilled Water
 2 Beakers 250 – ml  Nichrome Wire
 Matches/ lighter  5 Non- Flammable Containers
 Metal Ions
1. Strontium Chloride 6. Copper Chloride
2. Calcium Chloride / Calcium Nitrate 7. Potassium Chlorate
3. Barium Chloride / Barium Nitrate 8. Calcium Carbonate
4. Potassium Nitrate 9. Strontium Nitrate
5. Copper Sulfate / Copper Nitrate 10. Lithium Chloride / Lithium Nitrate

IV. PROCEDURE
1. Prepare the following metal ions needed for the 6. Place the dipped loop from the powder to the hottest
experiment in a test tube. portion of the flame.
2. Label each according to sample number or element 7. The resulting color of the flame is observed and this
name. may be an indication of a presence of a particular ion.
3. Use a clean wire loop made of platinum and nickel 8. To clean the wire , dip the wire into hydrochloric acid.
wire. ( Nichrome wire) 9. Then rinse with distilled water.
4. Dip the wire loop in a clean distilled water. 10. Test the loop by placing it into a gas burner flame.
5. Next, dip the loop in the powder / metal ions to be 11. If there is a burst of color , then you did not clean it
tested. sufficiently.
12. Repeat the steps using all metal ions.
V. OBSERVATION | Draw your experimental set – up ( flames only). Use appropriate colors
VI. DETERMINE UNKOWN METALS

UNKNOWN FORMULA NAME PRESENT COLOR COLOR EMITTED COLORED

NO. SKETCH OF
FLAME
1

VII. POST LAB QUESTIONS:

1. Why do different chemicals emitt different colors of light?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think the chemicals need to be heated in the flame first before the colored light is emitted?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________