Flame Tests

Question 1

Flame color of Lithium Cation

Answer 1

Red

Question 2

Flame color of Sodium cation

Answer 2

Yellow/orange

Question 3

Flame color of Pottasium cation

Answer 3

Lilac

Question 4

Flame color of Rubidium cation

Answer 4

Red/Purple

Question 5

Flame color of Caesium cation

Answer 5

Blue/Violet

Question 6

Flame color of Beryllium cation

Answer 6

No color

Question 7

Flame color of Magnesium cation

Answer 7

No color

Question 8

Flame color of Calcium cation

Answer 8

Brick Red

Question 9

Flame color of Strontium cation

Answer 9

Crimson Red

Question 10

Flame color of Barium cation

Answer 10

Apple Green

Question 11

Materials used for metal wire and why?

Answer 11

Platinium, nichrome or silica as they are all very unreactive and resist the heat of the flame

Question 12

How to ensure color is more intense?

Answer 12

Dip the wire in HCl. This converts metal compounds to chlorides which produce a better color

Question 13

Where to place metal wire

Answer 13

Edge of blue flame

Question 14

How to clean wire?

Answer 14

Dip in conc HCl and hold in bunsen flame till it produces no color.

Question 15

Test for NH4+ (Ammonium) ions and why we do it?

Answer 15

No flame color test. Add sodium hydroxide solution and warm the mixture. Releases ammonia gas which can be tested.