EXPERIMENT 1.
1
Flame tests of metal cations
STUDENT LABORATORY NOTES
Introduction
When vaporised in the flame of a Bunsen burner, some metallic elements produce a
characteristic colour. The flame colour is the result of electrons moving from a higher energy
level or electron shell to their normal shell.
Everyday applications of flame colours can be seen in ‘neon’ advertising signs (neon itself is
red), and the mercury vapour and sodium vapour lamps used in street lighting.
Students will complete flame tests for different metal cations (as metal chlorides), and then
identify
an unknown metal ion (chosen from those metals examined, or another metal that was not
used).
Aim
To observe the characteristic flame colours of the metal ions K+, Na+, Li+, Sr2+, Cu2+, Ca2+,
Ba2+, and to identify an unknown metal ion
Hypothesis
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Preparation for task
Location to conduct this task
In the laboratory
Duration
30 minutes
Group size
Two or three students
Methodology
Materials (per group)
● 9 watch glasses
● 8 nichrome or platinum wires, each attached to a holder (the wires must be clean)
● Bunsen burner
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Topic 1 | Elements and the periodic table
● 2 mol L–1 solution of hydrochloric acid
● Heatproof mat
● Small sample jar containing an unknown metal chloride
● Samples of different metal chlorides (depending on what the school has, these may be
in small sample bottles as solids, or they may be aqueous in either sample containers
or spray bottles; any of these is fine for this investigation).
Note: other metal salts that can also be used include Na2CO3, CuSO4, Cu(NO3)2,
Sr(NO3)2. In this experiment, the first seven chlorides listed in the Aim are being
examined.
Method
1. Set up heatproof mat and Bunsen burner.
2. Place a few drops of hydrochloric acid onto a watch glass (enough that you can dip a
nichrome wire in).
3. Place each sample on a separate watch glass, with a separate nichrome wire per
sample.
4. Light the Bunsen burner and place onto the blue roaring flame (be very careful
because the flame is difficult to see).
5. Very carefully, dip the wire into a watch-glass containing the hydrochloric acid
solution and then dip the moistened wire into the sample of the metal chloride.
6. Place the wire in the edge of the flame and observe the colour. Record the result.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 with the other known samples.
8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 using the unknown sample, and use your results to determine
which metal it is. If required, you may wish to observe some of your previous flame
colours again to assist in the determination of your unknown.
Health and safety guidelines
● Wear suitable clothing (including an apron) and eye protection
● Make sure hair is tied up at all times
● Avoid skin contact with chemicals; rinse immediately if contact is made. Be particularly
careful with the hydrochloric acid, which is corrosive.
Results
Present your results in a table.
Ion Flame colour
Potassium
Sodium
Lithium
Strontium
Copper
Calcium
Barium
Unknown ion: _______________
© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
Topic 1 | Elements and the periodic table
Discussion questions
1. Would you expect all metal ions to produce a flame colour? Explain.
2. Identify the unknown metal ion by its characteristic flame colour.
3. Explain the theory behind why different flame colours are produced.
Conclusion
Write a conclusion to explain the observations made in this investigation.
© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
