Topic 9a- Chemical analysis / flame photometry

Question 1

What is the function of flame photometry?

Answer 1

Flame photometry is an instrumental method that allows you to identify ions in a dilute solution.

Question 2

What happens during flame photometry? (not required- but maybe good to know?)

Answer 2

• A sample is placed in a flame
• As the ions heat up, their electrons become excited
• When the electrons drop back to their original energy levels they transfer energy as light
• The light passes through a spectroscope which detects different wavelengths of light to produce a line spectrum.

Question 3

What does the intensity of colour on the spectrum (in flame photometry) indicate?

Answer 3

The concentration of that ion in solution.

Question 4

What makes flame photometry different from normal flame tests?

Answer 4

Flame photometry can be used to detect different ions in mixtures rather than just single elements