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Experiment #:……... Date:………………………………

FLAME TESTS
Introduction
A number of common metal ions (Li +, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr+, and Cu2+) give a distinct colour to a flame.
Therefore, a flame test is often used as a confirmatory test in identifying an unknown metal.
Compounds of these ions provide the beautiful colours in a fireworks display. When glass is melted in a Bunsen
burner flame, sodium ions colour the flame. A copper wire inserted into the flame often results in a striking
flame colour. While the light emitted from a few excited metal ions is beautiful, in the laboratory a simple flame
test is often very helpful in identifying an unknown metal ion.
In this experiment you will observe and record the flame colours of several metals.

Apparatus/ Materials:
List the materials and equipment needed fort his experiment:
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NOTE: To obtain good results in this experiment, your test tubes must be exceptionally clean to avoid
contamination. To clean the ten test tubes, a 6 M HC1 solution can be used. If using the pre-made vials of
solution make sure there is no cross contamination of solution by exchanging nichrome wires.
CAUTION: Hydrochloric acid is caustic and corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Make certain that
you wear gloves, safety goggles, and an apron when working with acids. If any should spill on you, immediately
flush the area with water and then notify your teacher.

Procedure
1. Collect appropriate vials of known solutions and make sure that a nichrome wire is placed with each solution.
2. Clean a nichrome wire by dipping it first into some 6 M hydrochloric acid in a test tube and then holding it in
the colourless flame of your burner. Repeat until the wire imparts no colour to the flame.
(No need to clean wire if there is a wire present for each solution. Make sure that wires do not get crossed
and contaminate another solution.)
3. For each solution, of known ions, observe the colour of the flame just above the wire. Heat only the tip of the
wire.
Clean the wire thoroughly after each test. Record the colour of the flame for each metal compound in a Data
Table.
4. Secure unknown solutions from your instructor. Test them in the flame as you did with the known solutions.
Place your answer in a Data Table.
Data:
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Table for known salts/ions

Salts/Ions Observations

Table for unknown salts/ions

Unknown Solution Observations Inference

Discussion:
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Conclusion
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