Flame Tests

Alternate titles:

Metal Flame Tests

Purpose:

To illustrate the colors associated with various metal salts and relate this to electrons changing levels.

Materials:

• Matches/lighter
• 6 petri/crystallizing dishes

Reagents:

• Methanol (MeOH) wash bottle
• Nitrate/chloride salts of: Li, Sr, Cu, Ba, K, Na

Hazards and PPE:

• Metal salts are typically toxic if ingested. Handle with care.
• Nitrates are often oxidizers. Store and handle with care.
• Wear approved safety goggles and gloves.

Protocol:

Preparation

1. Place a quarter-sized amount of each salt in a separate dish. Label the dish with which salt it contains.
2. Add small amount of water to each dish to just begin dissolution.
3. Add about ~10mL MeOH to each dish using wash bottle.
   1. The amount of MeOH will determine how long these burn. A pyrex dish can be used to snuff out the flame if needed.

Demonstration

1. Swirl each dish gently.
2. Light each dish with match and dim lights.
   1. Initially the methanol will burn as blue to colorless. Stirring may be needed to produce color.

Disposal:

• Use water to rinse remaining solids into a properly labeled waste container.

Citations:

1. This demo adapted from the demo library of the Chemistry department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Videos:

• Freezing Beaker to Wood Demonstration AP Chem

  BAMChem