SNC 1W USING ELECTRONS TO IDENTIFY ELEMENTS
NAMES:____________________
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Introduction:
Chemists use a range of techniques for qualitative analysis. For example, the
colour of an aqueous solution can help to identify one of the ions that it contains.
Another qualitative analysis technique is a flame test. The ionic compound is
placed in a flame and the colour of the flame is noted. However, the flame test is
only useful for identifying metallic ions. But why do the elements give off different
colours when placed in a flame?
According to the Bohr model of the atom, when the atoms in an element are
provided with energy, some of the electrons may “jump” up to higher energy levels
(orbits). This energy can be in the form of heat, light, or electricity. The electrons
are said to be in an excited state because they are in higher energy orbits than
normal. The electrons then tend to fall back down to their normal, lower energy
level or ground state. When this happens, the atoms give off energy in the form
of light. Since different elements have slightly different energy levels, different
energies or colours of light are given off. These colours are like the
“fingerprints” of elements, especially metals, even when they are combined with
other elements in chemical compounds.
Purpose:
The purpose of this investigation is to use the colours of flames produced to
identify different metallic elements.
Hypothesis:
Use the background information above to help you complete the following
statement:
If a metal sample is placed in a flame, then the flame will change colour
because ________________
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Materials:
safety goggles mixtures containing the following elements:
4 unknown mixtures
Bunsen burner Aluminum Tin
Flint lighter Barium Strontium
wood splints Copper Manganese
water Lithium Magnesium
1
Potassium Sodium
Procedure:
1. Light the Bunsen burner and adjust it so that it produces a clean blue
flame.
2. Obtain a wooden splint, dip it in water, and then into one of the metal
mixtures.
3. Place the splint in the hottest part of the flame and observe the colour of
the flame.
4. Record your observations in Table 1.
5. Repeat the test for the four unknown samples and record your
observations in Table 2.
6. Turn off the gas to the Bunsen burner, and dispose of all used wood
splints in the garbage once they have cooled.
7. Clean up your work area and replace all equipment used. Wash your
hands.
Observations:
Table 1: Observations of known metallic samples.
Element Chemical Colour of Flame
Symbol
Aluminum
Barium
Copper
Lithium
Potassium
Tin
Strontium
2
Manganese
Magnesium
Sodium
Table 2: Observations of unknown metallic samples.
Unknown Colour of Flame Metal Present Chemical
Sample Symbol
Analysis Questions:
1. Which metals were easy to identify? Explain.
2. Which metals were difficult to identify? Explain.
3. Would flame tests be useful for detecting metal ions present in a mixture
of metal ions? Explain.
3
4. Explain how you might use the principles from this investigation to test a
sample of an unknown white solid to determine if it was table salt
(sodium chloride).
