Grade 12 Chemistry
Flame Tests – Using Bohr’s Theory to Identify Atoms
Purpose: to conduct a series of flame tests for various metal nitrate solutions, and then to
identify unknown metal nitrate solutions from their flame colours.
Materials:
goggles, wooden splints, Bunsen burner + hose, flint, large beaker with water, crucible tongs
8 beakers filled with concentrated solutions of the following metal nitrates:
barium nitrate
potassium nitrate
sodium nitrate
calcium nitrate
copper nitrate
lithium nitrate
unknown solution #1 unknown solution #2
Procedure: Write in a step-wise fashion, in past, passive voice. Include any prep work that
your teacher did before the lab took place.
Observations: Describe the solutions tested in this lab. Design a chart that clearly displays the
data observed in this lab.
Discussion:
Write a few paragraphs IN YOUR OWN WORDS that briefly explain the science underlying the
lab. Discuss two applications of this science in the real world.
Conclusion: Summarize your results. Discuss sources of error in the lab.
Excellent
INQUIRY
Good
/ 20
Satisfactory
Needs Improvement
Procedures are
listed, but are not in
a logical order and
are hard to follow.
Past passive tense is
sometimes used.
Some unnecessary
steps are included
(e.g. “turn on gas”)
Solutions are poorly
described.Accurate
observations of the
flame tests are
present in written
form, but no chart is
presented.
Procedures do not
accurately list the steps
of the experiment. Past
passive tense is not used.
Summary illustrates
an accurate
understanding of
most scientific
concepts underlying
the lab.
Applications to real
life situations are
discussed.
Summary illustrates
a limited
understanding of
scientific concepts
underlying the lab.
Summary illustrates
inaccurate understanding
of scientific concepts
underlying the lab.
A possible
application to a real
life situation is
briefly mentioned.
No applications are
discussed.
Summarizes the
results of the lab and
identifies the
unknowns. Refers
to two possible
errors.
The results of the
lab are summarized,
but are undetailed or
incomplete . Errors
are only briefly
discussed, or are
erroneous.
No summary is present.
Procedures are listed in
clear steps using past
passive voice. A
labeled diagram is
included which is neat
and accurate and makes
the experiment easier to
understand.
Procedures are listed
in a logical order
using past passive
voice. There are no
“understood”
procedures. A
labeled diagram is
included.
Solutions are
described. Accurate
observations of the
flame tests are
present in a labeled
and titled chart.
/4
Solutions are described
in a clear and concise
manner. Professional
looking and accurate
observations of the
flame tests are present
in a labeled and titled
chart.
Summary illustrates an
accurate and thorough
understanding of
scientific concepts
underlying the lab.
Discussion
b)Applications
Applications to real life
are discussed in detail.
Procedure and
Diagram
/4
Observations
/4
Discussion
a) Scientific
Concepts
/4
Conclusions
/4
Clearly summarizes the
results of the lab and
identifies the unknowns.
At least two correct
sources of error are
included.
COMMUNICATION
Spelling,
Punctuation,
Grammar
/6
One or fewer errors in
spelling, punctuation
and grammar in the
report.
Lab report is typed and
uses headings and
subheadings to visually
organize the material.
Appearance
and
Organization
/4
Two or three errors
in spelling,
punctuation and
grammar in the
report.
Lab report is neatly
handwritten and
uses headings and
subheadings to
visually organize the
material.
Solutions are not
described. Data is not
shown or is inaccurate.
/ 10
Five to eight errors
in spelling,
punctuation and
grammar in the
report.
Lab report is neatly
written or typed, but
formatting does not
help visually
organize the
material.
More than eight errors in
spelling, punctuation and
grammar in the report.
Lab report is handwritten
and looks sloppy with
cross-outs, multiple
erasures and/or tears and
creases.