Name _______________________
CC
Flame Tests
In this experiment you will flame test a set of solutions to identify the
characteristic colors produced by excited metal ions. You will then identify an unknown
metal ion by comparing the color it produces when excited to the colors produced by
the known solutions.
When a metal ion is subjected to high heat, its electrons absorb energy. When
that energy is released, we see it in the form of different colors of light.
Procedure
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EXr_L7Ojqg
In the video, the scientist will test several different metal ions. record your observations
in the table below.
Data Table
Element
Potassium
Metal Ion
Being Tested
K+
Barium
Ba2+
Calcium
Ca2+
Strontium
Sr2+
Lithium
Li+
Sodium
Na+
Copper
Cu2+
Observations
Questions
1. What difficulties might you encounter when trying to flame test a solution that
contains two different elements?
2. Answer one of these:
a. Some stores sell “fireplace crystals.” When sprinkled on a log, these
crystals make the flames red, green, and violet. What ingredients do you
think the crystals contain?
b. It’s the Fourth of July, and you see a fireworks explosion, composed of
beautiful green, orange, and purple stars. What ingredients do you think
the shell contained?
Go to https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/the-bright-history-and-chemistry-offireworks/#:~:text=Originally%20created%20to%20ward%20off,explode%20with%20a%
20loud%20bang.
3. Where and when were the first fireworks invented?
4. The first fireworks were not very colorful. Where and when were more modern
fireworks produced? What did inventors due to make these fireworks more
colorful?
5. What is in handheld sparklers?
6. About how many people go the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries
every day in July?
7. How can fireworks be made to create less environmental pollution?