[Chemistry 1] Lab No. 4.

1 – Flame Test Lab

FLAME TEST LAB


H. CASTANARES, L.M. MANLEGRO, H.P RENDON, B. MENDOZA, R.T. BORBON, M.C. TAER
Grade 9-Helium
Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Science High School System–Central Visayas Campus
Talaytay, Argao, Cebu, Philippines

Date Performed: May 6, 2019
Date Submitted: May 15, 2019


ABSTRACT

Researchers from PSHS-CVisC Campus conducted an experiment to identify the characteristic color
of a metal ion. To do this, they performed a flame test experiment. They prepared an alcohol burner
and metal ions. One after another they would use the wire loop, dip it in the metal, and put it on the
flame. As a result, the flame would change its color depending on the metal ion and its different
characteristics such as its wavelength, and its number of electrons. Colors such as green, pink,
orange, and even some blue was observed. The unknown element produced a yellow color. The
researchers then concluded the metal to be Barium. Based from the data taken, the researchers
concluded that In conclusion, different metal ions emit different colors because of their differing
wavelengths and number of electrons present in the element.


INTRODUCTION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 Data Table
Fire. We see fire and feel heat everyday of Flame Color
our lives. And usually, we tend to associate Metal Ion
Produced
the color orange to fire because it’s what we
commonly see. But a flame could actually Barium Yellow-Green
change its color to something else. This is Calcium Orange
because the heat from a laboratory burner
Copper green/blue
will cause the ions of some elements to give
off light. Electrons will absorb the heat Potassium Pink
energy from the flame and will “jump” to a Sodium Yellow
higher energy level. When the electrons
return to their original energy levels, this Unkown Yellow
absorbed energy is released as light.
Different elements absorb and release
different amounts of energy and they release
different kinds of light.

To identify the characteristic color of metal

ions and identify the metal ion in an
unknown solution, the researchers
Figure 1
performed a laboratory flame test.
Barium
Chloride


METHODOLOGY
Refer to Fig. 1. When the alcohol burner was
Last monday, the researchers conducted an exposed to Barium Chloride, the flame color
experiment on testing the flame to identify changed to yellow-green.
the characteristic color of metal ions and
identify the unknown metal ions presented.
So first, the researchers prepared the
materials needed for the experiment. The
researchers then lighted the alcohol lamp to
be used in the experiment. Afterwards, the
researchers first tested the Barium Chloride Figure 2
by dipping a wire loop into the solution and
putting it over the flame and observed the Calcium
color change of the flame. While observing, Chloride

the researchers then collected and wrote
down the observation of the said metal ion.
Refer to Fig. 2. When the alcohol burner was
After the observation of the said metal ion,
the researchers dipped the wire loop again exposed to Calcium Chloride, the flame color
to the solution to remove the __ of the metal changed to orange.
ion and then tested the other metal ions. This
process was repeated but with other metal
ions, such as Calcium Chloride, Copper
Chloride, Potassium Chloride, and Sodium
Chloride.




 - Based from the data, metal ions such
as Copper Chloride can be used to
produce green fireworks.

2. Bonus Question: A flame test performed
Figure 3
on an unknown element emits a photon
Copper of light with a wavelength of 459nm.
Chloride
What is the energy content, in joules, of
this photon?
Refer to Fig. 3. When the alcohol burner was
exposed to Copper Chloride, the flame color E = (6.33 x 10^-34 Js)(3.00x10^8m/s)
changed to green with some blue. 4.59 x 10^-7m

E = 4.33 x 10^-19 J


Figure 4 SUMMARY ANC CONCLUSION

Potassium Left on their own, the electrons of an atom
Chloride
tend to relax into orbitals that leave the atom
with the lowest possible energy--its ground
Refer to Fig. 4. When the alcohol burner was state. Putting atoms into a flame, though,
exposed to Potassium Chloride, the flame adds energy to the looser electrons farthest
color changed to pink. from the nucleus and pushes them into other
orbitals. Eventually, these excited electrons
drop back to where they ought to be, and in
so doing, they release the energy they stored
up as particles of light, called photons. In
conclusion, the metal ions produced
Figure 5 different colors because of their differing
wavelengths and their different number of
Sodium
Chloride electrons.


Refer to Fig. 5. When the alcohol burner was REFERENCES
exposed to Sodium Chloride, the flame color
changed to yellow.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Based from the data, the unknown metal that
produced a yellow flame color, is Sodium All authors performed the experiments
Chloride. under the assistance of Sir Paul Dizon and
Gee Elle Carumba and analysed the data. All

authors contributed equally.
1. Fireworks are made by combining
metals with explosive materials. Using APPENDIX
your data, which metal(s) do you predict
would be used in the production of green
fireworks?