Chemical Analysis Flashcards
what do flame tests test
positive ions (cations) - metal ions
steps for flame test practical
- Dip the platinum wire into concentrated HCl
- Place the wire in the hottest part of the flame
- Repeat stages 1 & 2 until no colour is produced
- Dip the wire in concentrated HCl
- Place the wire into the chemical to be analysed
- Place the wire in the hottest part of the flame of bunsen burner
- Record colour produced
Why do we use a platinum wire
unreactive, doesn’t colour flame, high mpt
what type of flame do we use for the bunsen burner
a blue non-cone flame
Flame Test - Lithium
crimson red
Flame Test - Sodium
yellow/orange
Flame Test - Potassium
lilac
Flame Test - Calcium
brick red
Flame Test - Copper
green-blue
Flame Test - Barium
don’t have to know
apple green
Flame Test - Strontium
don’t have to know
red
what is the NaOH test used for
A coloured precipitate is produced when NaOH solution is added to a solution containing other positive ions
Steps for NaOH test
- Add no more than 1cm³ of chosen ion solution to test tube
- Record colour of solution
- Add no more than a few drops of NaOH solution to this test tube
- Record observations
how does the test differ for Ammonium
you will need to heat the resulting solution gently and insert a piece of damp red litmus paper
how does the test differ for Al and Ca
add excess NaOH to resulting solution to distinguish between them