Name: ___________________________________________ Period: __________ Date: ___________
1-4 Atomic Structure Lab - Activity
Flame Tests – Identifying Metal Ions
Background and Theory
Chemists are often required to test samples to find out if they contain specific ions or compounds. This
lab allows students to practice these techniques and identify the different metal ions.
When atoms are heated they become excited causing the electrons to jump into higher energy levels.
These higher energy levels are less stable. As the electrons return back to their original positions, the
energy is released as light energy. Group 1 elements in the periodic table are known as the alkali
metals. They include lithium, sodium and potassium, which all react vigorously with air and water.
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Group 2 metals are known as the alkaline earth metals and include beryllium, barium, magnesium,
calcium and strontium. Both groups one and two metals have a distinct flame color which allows us to
identify the presence of a metal ion in a solid sample.
Curriculum Links:
• HS-PS1-1: Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on
the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
• HS-PS1-2: Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based
on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the
patterns of chemical properties.
Specific Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the positive ion in a substance.
2. Carry out an analytical test to identify metal ions.
3. Describe how electrons can move between energy levels.
Lab Part 1: Flame Tests for Metals
Pre-lab Questions:
1. Name the group one alkali metals
2. Give the chemical formula for each of the IONS of the group one metals.
3. What do the group one metals have in common?
4. Name the group two alkaline earth metals.
5. Give the chemical formula for each of the IONS of the group two metals.
6. What do the group two metals have in common?
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Name: ___________________________________________ Period: __________ Date: ___________
1-4 Atomic Structure Lab - Activity
Practical Activity:
You will need:
• Bunsen burners
• Flame test wires (one per two students)
• Hydrochloric acid
• Labelled solid samples of the metals you plan to test:
o Copper chloride
o Potassium iodide
o Calcium chloride
o Strontium chloride
o Lithium chloride
o Barium chloride
o Sodium chloride
• Three mystery samples from the above list labelled ‘W’, ‘X’ and ‘Y’
Method:
1. Dip a flame test wire into hydrochloric acid and then hold it in a blue Bunsen flame.
2. Dip the wire into a sample of the compound and place it into the edge of a blue Bunsen flame.
The flame color produced indicates which metal ion is present in the compound.
3. Clean the wire loop and continue testing with other samples.
Name of Substance Ion present Flame color
Copper chloride Copper, Cu 2+ Blue-green with white
flashes
Potassium iodide Potassium, K+ Violet
Calcium chloride Calcium, Ca2+ Orange-red
Strontium chloride Strontium, Sr 2+ Crimson red
Lithium chloride Lithium, Li+ Red
Barium chloride Barium, Ba2+ Pale yellow-green
Sodium chloride Sodium, Na+ Yellow-Orange
Lab Part 2: Identifying Unknown Samples
Students test each mystery sample and then identify them using their information they found in part
one.
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