Chemistry 1
Lesson 17 Lab TECHNICOLOR ATOMS
Flame Tests
Name __________________
Period ____ Date _________
Purpose
To identify metal atoms in a variety of compounds by using a flame test.
To provide evidence for the presence of certain atoms within compounds.
Materials
 Bunsen burner
 Nichrome wire with handle
 Set of 10 solutions: potassium nitrate, KNO3; copper (II) nitrate, Cu(NO3)2; strontium nitrate,
Sr(NO3)2; potassium chloride, KCl; sodium chloride, NaCl; copper (II) sulfate, CuSO4; strontium
chloride, SrCl2; sodium nitrate, NaNO3; copper (II) chloride, CuCl2; potassium sulfate, K2SO4
Safety Violation will result in the loss of lab privileges, a note home and a lower grade on the lab.
Safety Instructions
You will be working with flames and chemicals today.
Absolutely NO HORSEPLAY in the lab (no throwing, pushing, etc.)
Wear safety goggles.
Roll up long sleeves, tuck in loose clothing, and tie back long hair.
Know the location of safety equipment.
Wash hands with soap and water when finished.
Procedure and Observations: WORKING IN GROUPS OF 4 students
1. Put on goggles; long hair tied back and loose clothing secured. Never reach over the flame.
2. One person per group will conduct the flame test by these steps:
a. Place the looped end of the wire in the solution.
b. Pass the looped end through the cone of the flame.
c. Record the substance name, chemical formula and the color of the flame.
d. Place the wire back by the correct solution.
Note: Do not exchange wires between solutions.
Record your observations in the data table on the
Data Table 1
Substance Name
Chemical Formula
Flame Color
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Living By Chemistry Teaching and Classroom Resources
© 2012 W. H. Freeman and Company/BFW
Unit 1 Alchemy 65
Lesson 17 • Worksheet
Analysis (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. Group the substances based upon the flame colors produced:
2. What patterns do you notice in the groupings?
3. Predict the flame color for a substance called strontium sulfate. Explain your reasoning.
4. What evidence do you have that atoms of certain elements produce a flame of a specific color?
5. Making Sense Can a flame test be used to identify a metal atom in a compound? Why or why
not? What about a nonmetal atom?
6.
If You Finish Early Copper (II) oxide, CuO, is a black solid. It doesn’t look at all like the
element copper. What color flame would it produce? Draw a model of copper (II) oxide to
explain the flame color that you observe.
Living By Chemistry Teaching and Classroom Resources
© 2012 W. H. Freeman and Company/BFW
Unit 1 Alchemy 65
Lesson 17 • Worksheet