flame tests Flashcards
1
Q
lithium
A
crimson
2
Q
crimson
A
lithium
3
Q
sodium
A
yellow
4
Q
yellow
A
sodium
5
Q
potassium
A
lilac
6
Q
lilac
A
potassium
7
Q
calcium
A
orange-red
8
Q
orange-red
A
calcium
9
Q
copper
A
green
10
Q
green
A
copper
11
Q
what are positive metal ions called?
A
cations
12
Q
how do flame tests work?
A
-the outer electron of the metal ion is ‘excited’ out of its shell
-when it returns to its shell, energy is given out as light
-each metal gives out a specific colour of light as its electrons are excited by a specific amount
13
Q
what is the problem with flame tests?
A
if the sample contains a mixture of ions, the colours can be masked
14
Q
method for flame tests
A
- place nichrome wire in hydrochloric acid to sterilise and hold over blue flame
- dip wire into a sample of solid chemical
- hold over bunsen burner on blue flame and record colour of the flame
