Flame tests

Teacher : Claudia De Candido

Tutor: Elena Monti
ITC “O.Mattiussi” 2005/06

1
 Menu

Demonstration: flame tests.

Giving reasons for the behaviour of the
salts.
Energy levels.
Flame chart, multiple choice ,fill in the gaps.

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 Objectives

In this unit the students will:

identify some elements from the flame

tests;
explain the results by the model of energy
levels.

3
 Time

3 class periods 50 min. each.

4
 Skills

Knowledge of the new words and the new concepts.

Accurate explanation of the behaviour of the salts in
the flame.
Prediction of behaviour through the acquainted
knowledge.

Grade Level : second classes - secondary school.

5
 Evaluation

During the lessons the students can evaluate

their understanding and their improvements
through activities single or in group.
Assessment:
flame chart,
fill in the blanks,
multiple choice.

6
 Procedures
Show the students the procedure in the flame tests .
Give instructions about safety.
The students will record the colour imparted to the flame in the flame test
chart.
They will use the first table to work out the metals in the unknown samples.
They will learn that the colour of flame is emitted by the metal in the salt and
that different metals produce different coloured light. Every coloured light has a
specific energy, wavelength and frequency.
We will do a kinaesthetic exercise to introduce the levels of energy.
Show the slides about the electrons levels and explain it
Review the content by a multiple choice exercises and filling in the blanks.

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 Resources required

Platinum wire, salts of various metals,

acid solution , Bunsen burner (special
burner), beakers, gloves and goggles.
Every material and apparatus is labeled
with its name.

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 Suggestions

What the students need to do:

Ask, ask, ask if you don’t understand.
During the experiments follow instructions
carefully.
Take notes and take part in the lessons.
Practice and revise even when we don’t tell
you.

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What do the street lamps , salt and
fireworks have in common ?

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They all contain SODIUM which gives off
a unique yellow flame when it is heated.

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Apparatus and materials

Bunsen burner
Watch glass dish
Platinum wire
Beaker
Salts
Hydrochloric acid solution, (dilute)
Be careful!

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Procedure
Dip the wire in a acid solution
Hold the wire in Bunsen flame (to
check if wire is clean)
Place some of the salt on the wire
Hold the salt in the flame
Note the colour imparted to the flame.
Repeat for other salts.
Record your results in flame test chart
(first table) , using different colours
Use the first table to fill in the blanks of
the second table.

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Safety
Take the necessary precautions before
beginning this experiment. Wear goggles and
gloves.

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Record your results during the experiment in the table below.

barium calcium copper potassium sodium strontium

Use the first table to work out the metals in the new samples and than fill in the
bottom row.

Sample KNO3 CuSO4 CaCl2 NaNO3

Flame colour
metal

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 Kinaesthetic exercise
Stand up and close your eyes
Imagine a book on a shelf , a lower shelf, next to the ground.
Now get the book and put it on a higher shelf, on top.
It is heavy.It is a big book.
The book now is in an higher shelf, it has more energy because of your work.
Unfortunately the book is unstable and suddenly falls to the ground, on your
foot. Ouch!The book has given off the energy of your work!
Open your eyes.

Imagine the electron in the atom, which occupy only certain positions or levels
of energy, like shelves or steps.

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 Useful model

The diagram shows some steps leading

up from horizontal ground. It is a useful
model to explain the energy levels of
electrons in the atoms.
The energy levels can be occupied or
vacant. In the example three energy
levels 1,2, 4 are occupied and one energy
level (3 ) is vacant.

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 Shelves
Raising an electron to a
higher energy level takes
work. Similarly an electron
falling to a lower step releases
energy. This energy appears
as radiation. The lowest
electron is on the ground and
cannot fail lower. An other
useful model is shelves.

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 Energy levels
The normal electron configuration of atoms of an
element is known as the "ground state." In this most
stable energy state, all electrons are in the lowest
energy levels available. When atoms in the ground state
are heated to high temperatures, some electrons may
absorb enough energy to allow them to "jump" to higher
energy levels. The element is then said to be in the
"excited state."

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This excited configuration is unstable, and
the electrons "fall" back to their normal
positions of lower energy. As the electrons
return to their normal levels, the energy that
was absorbed is emitted in the form of
electromagnetic energy. Some of this energy
may be in the form of visible light. The colour
of
this light can be used as a means of
identifying the elements involved. Such
crude analyses are known as flame tests.
Only metals, with their loosely held
electrons, are excited in the flame of a
laboratory burner.
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Thus, flame tests are useful in the identification of
atoms. Many metallic elements exhibit characteristic
colours when they are vaporised in the burner flame.
If the light emitted is carefully analysed for its
characteristic frequencies, it can be shown that each
element has a characteristic pattern or fingerprint.

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Ne

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 Energy levels
The normal electron configuration of atoms of an element is known as the "ground
state." In this most stable energy state, all electrons are in the lowest energy 1_________
available. When atoms in the 2_______state are heated to high temperatures, some
electrons may absorb enough energy to allow them to "jump" to higher 3______levels.
The element is then said to be in the "excited state.".
This 4__________configuration is unstable, and the electrons "fall" back to their normal
positions of 5_______energy. As the electrons return to their normal levels, the energy
that was absorbed is emitted in the form of electromagnetic energy. Some of this energy
may be in the 6________of visible light. The colour of this light can be used as a mean
of identifying the elements involved.
Such crude analyses are known as flame tests.
Only metals, with their loosely held electrons, are excited in the flame of a Bunsen
7______ . Thus, flame tests are useful in the 8_________of atoms. Many metallic
elements exhibit characteristic 9___________ when vaporised in the burner flame. If
the light emitted is carefully analyzed for its characteristic frequencies, it can be shown
that each element has a characteristic fingerprint, because of
different___________structure.

Bank words

 burner
 colours
 energy
 electronic
 electronic
 excited
 form
 ground
 identification
 levels
 lower

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 Energy levels
The normal electron configuration of atoms of an element is known as the "ground
state." In this most stable energy state, all electrons are in the lowest energy levels
available. When atoms in the ground state are heated to high temperatures, some
electrons may absorb enough energy to allow them to "jump" to higher energy levels.
The element is then said to be in the "excited state.".
This electronic configuration is unstable, and the electrons "fall" back to their normal
positions of lower energy. As the electrons return to their normal levels, the energy that
was absorbed is emitted in the form of electromagnetic energy. Some of this energy may
be given off in the form of visible light. The colour of this light can be used as a mean of
identifying the elements involved.
Such crude analyses are known as flame tests.
Only metals, with their loosely held electrons, are excited in the flame of a Bunsen
burner. Thus, the flame tests are useful in the identification of atoms. Many metallic
elements exhibit characteristic colours when vaporised in the burner flame. If the light
emitted is carefully analyzed for its frequencies, it can be shown that each element has a
characteristic fingerprint, because of different electronic structure.

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 Multiple choice
Check the correct answer
1) The carrier for the salt in this demonstration was

a- water b-potassium c-acid solution d- sodium e-calcium

2) Which of the following flame colours is matched correctly with its metal ?

a- strontium- violet flame b- potassium –lilac c- sodium – green flame

d – copper- red e – calcium- yellow

3) Electrons of an atom reside in concentric spheres known as:

A – nuclei b- cations c- molecules d- energy levels e- ions

4) When energy is supplied to an atom, the electron

a- does not react to the energy

b- moves from its energy shell to a lower energy shell
c- moves from its energy shell to a higher energy shell and stays there
d- moves from its energy shell to a higher energy shell then back again
e- none of the above

5) The excited state of an electron

a- put it in an energy shell with a higher value

b- put it in a more stable energy state
c- put it in a higher energy level
d- put it in a less stable energy state
e- put it in a lower energy level

6) When electrons move from the ground state to the excited state we say they have been

a- assisted
b- excited
c- promoted
d- demoted
e- discharged

7) The metal in a salt exist as

a- a neutral particle
b- a positive
c- a negative particle
d- a cation
e- an anion

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Assisted helped
Bunsen the scientist who gave his name to a particular burner
Carrier the person or thing transporting or moving something
Demote reduce to a lower rank (position)
Discharged released
Excited state the unstable energy state
Fingerprint used for identification
Ground state the most stable energy state
Loosely in the loose way, not fixed in place
Pattern model
Promoted raised to the higher rank
Shell the electronic level

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