Flame Test

Lab

BackgroundBackground Chemists began studying colored flames in the Chemists began studying colored flames in the

1818thth century and soon used "flame tests" to century and soon used "flame tests" to distinguish between some elements. Different distinguish between some elements. Different elements burn with different colored flames. elements burn with different colored flames.

Although some of the flames you will be seeing Although some of the flames you will be seeing will appear similar in color, their light can be will appear similar in color, their light can be resolved (separated) with a prism into distinctly resolved (separated) with a prism into distinctly different bands of colors on the different bands of colors on the electromagnetic spectrum (ROYGBIV). electromagnetic spectrum (ROYGBIV).

These bands of colors are called These bands of colors are called atomic line atomic line spectraspectra, and they are UNIQUE to each , and they are UNIQUE to each element.element.

Metal Color

Lithium (Li) Solution

Orangish yellow with a hint of tangerine

Lithium (Li) Solid October sunset tinged with Autumn maple leaves

Questions

• Why do different chemicals emit different colors of light?

• Why do you think the chemicals have to be heated in the flame first before the colored light is emitted?

• The salt used for this experiment contained metals and niitrogen, how do we know the metals create the color?

More Questions

• What happens to an electron when energy is added?

• What is released when an electron loses energy?

• What determines the frequency (color) of photons?