Name:

Section/Group:
Subject: ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LAB
BACHELOR IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

ACTIVITY #7

DATE ACTIVITY NAME: PREPARED BY SCORE:

i CM
Qualitative Analysis : Flame Test Nigell Mikhail A. Gallardo, RMT, MLS (ASCP )

INTRODUCTION
The current model of an atom includes a nucleus, consisting of protons, neutrons and electrons. Based on experiments on atomic
absorption and emission spectra, the energy of electrons is quantized. This means that each electron in an atom has a definite energy.

The energy of emitted or absorbed light is equal to the energy difference between the two energy states, and is inversely proportional
to its wavelength. When light is emitted by a large collection of atoms, a variety of energies and wavelengths are released as the electrons
return to their lowest energy states. When this light passes through a prism, a line spectrum is produced. Each line corresponds to a particular
energy and wavelength.
Each element exhibits its own characteristic line spectrum because the spacing of electronic energy states in atoms of various elements
is different. Thus, an example of this is the sodium atom which produces a yellow color while barium atom produces a green color.

OBJECTIVES

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS ACTIVITY, THE STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE:

1. To observe the flame colors emitted by excited metal atoms
2. To explain the flame colors in terms of electronic transmission in atoms
3. To perform the experiment in safe manner in handling flammable reagents inside the laboratory by adding protective
equipment and proper decorum.

MATERIALS/CHEMICALS NEEDED

REAGENTS CsCl MATERIALS STIRRING ROD

CONCENTRATED HCl CuCl2 NICHROME WIRE PORCELAIN SPATULA
DISTILLED WATER NaCl ALCOHOL LAMP
CaCl2 LiCl WATCH GLASS
KCl MEDICINE DROPPER

PROCEDURE
 1. Do the cleaning procedure for nichrome wire by dipping the end of the wire into concentrated HCl and heating it in flame’s
hottest region until there is no visible color.
2. Repeat the cleaning procedure before dipping the nichrome wire into the different salt solutions.
3. Dissolve a pinch of CaCl2 crystals in 3-4 drops of distilled water contained in a watch glass.
4. Dip the pre-cleaned nichrome wire into the dissolved salt solution and heat it in the flame’s hottest region. Observe the flame
color produced.
5. Repeat the same procedure for the salt solutions.
6. Calculate the v (Hz), λ (nm), and E (J)

QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

1. How is the flame test helpful in scientist/students who are conducting it during experiments?

2. TABULATE THE DATA AND RESULTS:

Salt Solutions Flame Color λ (nm) v (Hz) E (J)
CaCl2
CuCl2
NaCl
LiCl
KCl
CsCl

Equation 1: E = hc/λ
Equation 2: E = hv
Where (E) is the energy of light
(c) is the speed of light (3.00 x108 m/s)
(h) is Planck’s constant (6.63 x 10-34 J)
(v) is the frequency of light

Correlation between Wavelength and Color

Wavelength (nm) Color
400-430 violet

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 430-490 blue
490-560 green
560-580 yellow
580-520 orange
620-800 red

3. Distinguish between absorption and emission spectrum

4. Arrange the observed different flame colors accordingly to increasing energy and identify the salt
solution that emitted the largest amount of energy. Also, identify the salt solution that emitted the
smallest energy.

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