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NAME: Anna .T. Ramgulam

I.D #: 00039038
CLASS: CHEM 131 – General Chemistry I
CRN: 12560
CLASS LECTURER: Ms. Risha Kalloo
LAB LECTURER: Mr. Bisram Ramdatt
LAB: TWO (2)

TITLE: FLAME TESTS – EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

 INTRODUCTION

+ + + 2+ 2+ 2+
AIM: 1. To investigate and predict the identity of metal ions, Li , Na , K , Ca , Ba , Cu

with the use of flame tests.

2. To determine the cations in each of the two unknown substance by observing

the flame colour of different metal compounds.

BACKGROUND:

+ + + 2+ 2+ 2+
A number of common metal ions, (Li , Na , K , Ca , Ba , and Cu ) give a distinct colour in

the presence of 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 bright yellow. A

copper wire inserted into the flame often results in a striking deep blue or green colour.

THEORY:

According to the Bohr Theory of the atom, electrons may occupy only specific energy levels.

When an atom absorbs sufficient energy, an electron can “jump” to a higher energy level. Higher

energy levels tend to be less stable, however, and if a lower energy level is available, the electron

will “fall” back, giving off energy in the process. The difference in energies between the two

levels is emitted in the form of a photon of electromagnetic radiation. The energy of each photon

is described by the equation E = hv, where h is Planck‟s constant and v is the frequency of the

radiation. If the wavelength of the released photon is between 400 and 700 nm, the energy is

emitted as visible light. The colour of the light depends on the specific energy change that is

taking place. White light is a continuous spectrum in which all wavelengths of visible light are

present. An excited atom, however, produces one or more specific lines in its spectrum,

corresponding to the specific changes in energy levels of its electrons. Because each element has

a distinct electron configuration, each has a unique line spectrum.

Flame tests are a quick method of producing the characteristics colours of metallic ions. The

loosely-held electrons of a metal are easily excited in the flame of a lab burner. The emission of

energy in the visible portion of the spectrum as those electrons return to lower energy levels

produces a coloured flame. The colour is a combination of the wavelengths of each transition,

and may be used to determine the identity of the ion. If two metals are present in a mixture, the

colour of one flame may obscure or hide that of the other. However, if cobalt glass is used, it is

possible to absorb one of the colours and not the other. Therefore we will also look at a flame

produced from a mixture of compounds. From the data, we will then be able to identify which

metals are in the unknown substance based on what colour flame it produces upon heating.

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 MATERIALS AND METHODS

APPARATUS & MATERIALS:

Bunsen burner NaCl(s) 0.5M ZnSO 2 (aq)

11 beakers 0.5M NaCl (aq) 0.5M Ba(NO 3)2 (aq)

10 test tubes 0.5M LiNO3 (aq) 0.5M KNO3 (aq)

Nichrome wire Na and K mixture Test tube with 7.0M HCl

Unknown metal 1 & 2 Micro test tube PbNO 3 (aq)

METHOD:

PART A: Known Cations

Each test tube (not the test tube containing the 7.0M HCl) was filled to a depth of 1cm with their

respective stock solutions. The Bunsen burner was then ignited and the flame was adjusted to

produce a non-luminous (smokeless blue flame with a pale blue inner core) flame. The nichrome

wire was then cleaned by dipping it into the test tube containing the 7.0M HCl and then held in

the hottest part of the flame. This was repeated until the wire imparted no colour to the flame.

The loop of the clean nichrome wire was then inserted into the test tube containing the solution

and held in the hottest part of the flame. The wire was then cleaned as instructed before and the

flame test was repeated for each solution. The colour of the flame for each of the cation was then

recorded in a Data Table. The flame test was then repeated for Na + ions using a little dry sodium

chloride and the results were recorded as well.

PART B: Unknown Cations

The nichrome wire was cleaned and the flame test was done on the two unknown solutions. The

solutions were also retested to ensure accuracy when identifying them. The results were then

recorded on the Data Table as well.

PART C: Solutions containing ≥1 Cation

The nichrome wire was cleaned again and the flame test was carried out on the solution

containing the mixture of the KNO 3 and NaNO3. The results were then recorded in the Data

Table.

PRECAUTIONS:

Safety:

1) Proper care was taken when handling the HCl to prevent injury as it is caustic and
corrosive.
2) Proper care was taken when rinsing out the test tubes containing the acid, as adding water
to acid will result in an explosion.

Efficiency:

1) Each flame colour emitted was observed thoroughly to ensure accuracy

2) Each flame test were repeated to ensure precise and efficient results

RESULTS:

The following data table shows the results that were obtained in this experiment:

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Table 1: Colours Emitted from the Various Cations in the Presence of a Flame

Metallic Ion Colour of Flame

Sodium (from aqueous NaCl) Bright Yellow

Sodium (from solid Na Cl) Bright Orange

Lithium Nitrate Crimson / Bright red

Lead Nitrate Blue

Barium Nitrate Yellowish-green

Potassium Nitrate Lilac

Zinc Sulphate Bluish-green

Sodium and Potassium mixture Reddish-orange

Unknown Metal 1 (Sodium Chloride) Orange

Unknown Metal 2 (Potassium Nitrate) Pinkish-purple

LIMITATIONS:

1) The test cannot detect low concentrations of most ions.

2) The brightness of the signal varies from one sample to another. For example, the yellow

emission from sodium is much brighter than the red emission from the same amount of

lithium.

3) Impurities or contaminants affect the test results. Sodium, in particular, is present in most

compounds and will colour the flame.

4) The test cannot differentiate between all elements. Several metals produce the same

flame colour. Some compounds do not change the colour of the flame at all.

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5) The HCl became saturated butUnlock this page a"er
was replaced withanfresh
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SOURCES OF ERROR: 10

1) The position of the wire in the flame. If the nichrome wire was held too low of too high,

sometimes the right colours were not seen properly.

2) Mixing up of the elements which would result in a different colour flame.

3) Traces of impurities from the last substance tested.

4) How long the wire was kept in the fire and how strong the fire was as well.

5) The HCl became saturated but was replaced with fresh HCl.

 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

SOURCES OF ERROR:

DISCUSSION:
1) The position of the wire in the flame. If the nichrome wire was held too low of too high,

Different salts will the

sometimes produce differentwere
right colours colours
not when placed in a flame, due to the fact that each
seen properly.

element has a different

2) Mixing up of theatomic structure.
elements whichThe electrons
would will
result in jump to higher
a different colour energy
flame. levels

according to the
3) Traces ofamount of energy
impurities absorbed.
from the It was seen
last substance that some elements produced similar
tested.

flame
4) colour as well.
How long the In thewas
wire experiment, it was
kept in the noted
fire and thatstrong
how impurities canwas
the fire mask the flame colour,
as well.
 DISCUSSION
for example, sodium, with
AND its CONCLUSION
intense yellow flame, was capable of masking the colour produced

by other elements if it is present as an impurity. It was seen that the flame test is used to visually

determine the identity of an unknown metal or metalloid ion based on the characteristic color the
DISCUSSION:
salt turns in the presence of a bunsen burner flame. The heat of the flame converted the metal

Different salts will

ions into atoms produce
which different
became excitedcolours when placed
and emitted visible in a flame,
light. due to the factemission
The characteristic that each

element has also

spectra was a different
used toatomic structure.
differentiate The electrons
between will jump
some unknown to higher
elements. energy levels
Therefore, it can be said

according
that flame to theare
tests amount of energy
an example of aabsorbed. It test,
qualitative was that
seenis,
that some
they canelements
detect theproduced
presencesimilar
of certain

flame colour
elements, as well.it In
however, the experiment,
cannot tell us how itofwas
the noted thatisimpurities
element present in can mask the flame colour,
the sample.

for example, sodium, with its intense yellow flame, was capable of masking the colour produced

by other elements if it is present as an impurity. It was seen that the flame test is used to visually

determine the identity of an unknown metal or metalloid ion based on the characteristic color the

salt turns in the presenceADof a bunsen burner flame. The heatRead

of the flame
without ads.converted the metal

ions into atoms which became excited and emitted visible light. The characteristic emission

spectra was also used to differentiate between some unknown elements. Therefore, it can be said

that flame tests are an example of a qualitative test, that is, they can detect the presence of certain

elements, however, it cannot tell us how of the element is present in the sample.

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10
In conclusion, we were capable of observing and evaluating the colours produced by certain

metal ions when they are vaporized in a flame. The results of this lab were obvious, other than

finding out the unknown element. The obvious part was that every element has a unique

spectrum as no two elements have the same number of electrons, or electron configuration.

When elements are exposed to energy, their electrons may enter an excited state. The energy

added may be in the form of electricity or in this case heat. In this excited state, electrons move

from their normal position around the nucleus to higher energy levels. When the excited
CONCLUSION:
electrons return to their ground sate or normal position, they give off energy in the form of light.

In
Theconclusion, we light
colour of the werewe
capable of observing
see when andisevaluating
this occurs the coloursof
really a combination produced by certain
several colours of light

metal
in the ions whenof
spectrum they
thatare vaporized
element. in aelement
Each flame. or
The results ofemits
compound this lab were obvious,
a unique other than
set of wavelengths,

finding outwavelengths
only those the unknownthat
element. The obvious
correspond part was
to the quanta of that every
energy elementfor
necessary hasthat
a unique
element‟s

spectrum
electrons as no twofrom
to jump elements
groundhave thetosame
state numberstof
the excited ate.electrons, or electron
The uniqueness configuration.
of each substance‟s

When elements
spectrum allowsare exposed
scientists to to energy,
use their
them as electrons
a tool may enter
in identifying an excited
unknown state. The
chemicals. Oneenergy
method

added
used tomay be in the the
demonstrate form of electricity
emission spectraorof
inchemicals
this case heat.
is theIn this excited
flame state,this
test. Using electrons
method,move
a

from
small their normal
amount of a position
substancearound the in
is heated nucleus to higher
a Bunsen burnerenergy
flamelevels.
and theWhen
flame the excited
colour is observed.

electrons return to their ground sate or normal position, they give off energy in the form of light.
The arrangement of electrons in an atom determines the sizes of the quantum jumps, and thus the
The colour of the light we see when this occurs is really a combination of several colours of light
energy and colours of the collection of photons emitted, known as an emission spectrum. In this
in the spectrum of that element. Each element or compound emits a unique set of wavelengths,
way the emission spectrum serves as a „fingerprint‟ of the element to which the atoms
only those wavelengths that correspond to the quanta of energy necessary for that element‟s
belong. We can view the emission spectrum of colours all at once with the naked eye. It will
electrons to jump from ground state to the excited state. The uniqueness of each substance‟s
appear to be one colour, which we will carefully describe. It is also possible to view the separate
spectrum allows scientists to use them as a tool in identifying unknown chemicals. One method
colours of the emission spectrum by using a spectroscope, which bends light of different energies
used to demonstrate the emission spectra of chemicals is the flame test. Using this method, a

small amount of a substance is heated in a Bunsen burner flame and the flame colour is observed.

The arrangement of electrons in an atom determines the sizes of the quantum jumps, and thus the

energy and colours of the collection of photons emitted, known as an emission spectrum. In this

way the emission spectrum serves as a „fingerprint‟ of the element to which the atoms
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belong. We canRead
view
andthe emission
download spectrum of colours all at once with the naked eye. It will
full documents. Cancel anytime

OR
appear to be one colour, which we will carefully describe. It is also possible to view the separate
differently. Low energy red light is bent thethis
Unlock mostpageand
a"erhigh
an adenergy violet the least. This allows

colours of the emission spectrum by using a spectroscope, which bends light of different energies
us to see the various distinct colours of the emission spectrum of a sample.
10

POST LAB QUESTIONS:

1) Flame coloration is a test for the Metallic ion because, the metallic ions will enter an

excited state and release photons energy, in the form of light, as they return to their

ground state. Nitrate contains nitrogen and oxygen, and these atoms do not have energy

levels that would give a color to a flame.

2) Dry sodium
differently. chloride
Low energy red and
lightthe solutions
is bent of sodium
the most nitrate
and high andviolet
energy sodiumthechloride all impart
least. This allows

us to seethe
thesame colour
various because:
distinct By placing
colours atoms ofspectrum
of the emission a metal into
of a asample.
flame, electrons can be

induced to absorb energy and jump to an excited energy state, a quantum jump. They
POST LAB QUESTIONS:
then return to their ground state by emitting a photon of light (the law of conservation of

1) Flame
energy coloration is a the
indicates that testphoton
for the emitted
Metallicwill
ioncontain
because,the
thesame
metallic
amountionsofwill enterasanthat
energy

excited
absorbedstate andquantum
in the release photons energy,
jump). The in theofform
amount of light,
energy in theas they return
photon to their
determines its

ground state.
color; red for Nitrate contains
the lowest energynitrogen
visible and oxygen,
light, and energy
increasing these atoms do not
through the have energy
rainbow of

levels
orangethat would
yellow giveblue
green a color to aand
indigo, flame.
finally violet for the highest energy visible

2) Dry
light.sodium chloride
Photons outsideand
thethe solutions
visible of sodium
spectrum nitrate
may also and sodium
be emitted, but chloride
we cannotallsee
impart
them.

3) the
Thesame colour
test for because:
sodium By placing
and potassium atoms
ions of both
when a metal
are into a flame,
present electronsFirst,
is as follows: can beget a

induced
wire andto absorb
bend energy
it into and
a ring jump
and put atofew
an excited
crystalsenergy
of yourstate,
solidaon
quantum
it. Do ajump.
flame They
test

then
usingreturn to their
a bunsen ground
burner or a state
match.byThe
emitting
coloura photon
emitted of light
will (thethat
show lawPotassium
of conservation of
will give

energy
a violetindicates
flame andthat the photon
Sodium emitted
will give will contain
a yellow flame. the same amount of energy as that

4) absorbed
If recalledincorrectly
the quantum
fromjump).
the lab,The
notamount
much ofofthe
energy in the
solution wasphoton determines
needed to identifyitseach

color; red forItthe

compound. lowest
is very energy because
sensitive, visible light, increasing
you can energy
see light through
emitted the rainbow
by a "relativel of
y" small

orange
numberyellow green blue indigo, and finally violet for the highest energy visible
of atoms.

light. Photons outside the visible spectrum may also be emitted, but we cannot see them.

3) The test for sodium and potassium ions when both are present is as follows: First, get a

wire and bend it into a ring and put a few crystals of your solid on it. Do a flame test
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using a bunsen burner or a match. The colour emitted will show that Potassium will give

a violet flame and Sodium will give a yellow flame.

4) If recalled correctly from the lab, not much of the solution was needed to identify each

compound. It is very sensitive, because you can see light emitted by a "relativel y" small

number of atoms.