CHEM 1701 – Lab 3

Flame Test

___/20
With questions adapted from:
Late Nite Labs
Flame Test

Background
• If you’ve ever wondered how fireworks produce so many different colors, this is the lab for you!
In this lab we explore how burning different elements produces different characteristic colors
based on an elements location on the periodic table.

Procedure & Observations

• Follow the procedure as laid out in Late Nite Labs
• When prompted to “Save Notes”, instead record your observations/notes in the space below

Lab Notes [3 marks]

Sample Burn Color

Bismuth Blue
Lithium nitrate Red
Strontium nitrate Pink-Red
Calcium sulfate Orange-red
Magnesium White
Magnesium nitrate Grey
Copper (II) chloride Green
Barium chloride Green
Barium sulfate green
Bright
Manganese sulfate
Green
Lead nitrate Blue
Arsenic acid Purple-blue
Potassium iodide Purple

CHEM1701 – Lab 3 Page 1 of 4

Multiple Choice [9 marks]

INSTRUCTIONS: Select the best answer for each.

1) Which element or compound produced a white flame?

A. arsenic acid
B. potassium
C. bismuth
D. magnesium
2) Which element or compound produced a white flame?
A. arsenic acid
B. potassium
C. bismuth
D. magnesium
3) Which compound produced a purple flame?
A. barium chloride
B. calcium sulfate
C. strontium nitrate
D. potassium iodide
4) What color flame did lead nitrate produce?
A. yellow-red
B. purple
C. green
D. blue
5) Which element or compound did not produce a red flame?
A. calcium sulfate
B. magnesium
C. strontium nitrate
D. lithium nitrate
6) What color flame did zinc produce?
A. light green
B. purple
C. red
D. light blue
7) Which compound produced a light blue flame?
A. potassium iodide
B. manganese sulfate
C. magnesium nitrate
D. arsenic acid
8) What color flame did bismuth produce?
A. yellow
B. green
C. blue
D. white
9) Did barium chloride and barium sulfate produce similar colored flames?
A. No, barium chloride produced purple flames and barium sulfate produced yellow flames.
B. No, barium chloride produced pale yellow-green flames and barium sulfate produced red
flames.
C. Yes, both compounds produced red flames.
D. Yes, both compounds produced pale yellow-green flames.
CHEM1701 – Lab 3 Page 2 of 4
Short Answer [8 marks]

10) (2 marks) What elements had similar results in the flame test?

Barium Chloride and Barium sulfate both had green flames.

11) (1 mark) What element from the list in your lab notes is likely represented by the image below?

Lithium Nitrate

12) (1 mark) Refer to your periodic table. What do you notice about the location of lithium, strontium
and calcium?

They all have a positive charge.

13) (1 mark) Refer to your periodic table. What do you notice about the location of zinc, copper, and
manganese?

They are all in period 4.

14) (1 mark) Refer to your periodic table. What do you notice about the location of arsenic and
bismuth?

They are both in group 15.

CHEM1701 – Lab 3 Page 3 of 4

15) (2 marks) A flame test could be used to distinguish which of the following two substances? How
could the flame test be used? Explain.
a) arsenic acid and lead nitrate
b) lithium nitrate and strontium nitrate
c) bismuth and lead nitrate
d) copper (II) chloride and calcium sulfate

Copper (II) chloride and calcium sulfate could be distinguished in a flame test because the
flame are two very different colors. Each of the other the other substances show close to the
same color.

CHEM1701 – Lab 3 Page 4 of 4