Flame tests

• What is the purpose of flame tests in chemistry?

  To identify metal ions in compounds
• What is the first step in performing a flame test?

  Place a small amount of chemical on a wire
• What does the color of the flame indicate in a flame test?

  The type of metal ion present
• What are the flame colors for the five metal ions?

  • Lithium: Crimson
  • Sodium: Yellow
  • Potassium: Lilac
  • Calcium: Orange-red
  • Copper: Green
• Why can flame tests be problematic?

  Colors can be difficult to distinguish
• How can the presence of sodium ion affect flame test results?

  It can mask other flame colors
• What is flame emission spectroscopy used for?

  To identify metal ions and their concentrations
• What is the role of the spectroscope in flame emission spectroscopy?

  It converts light into a line spectrum
• How does the line spectrum help identify metal ions?

  Positions of lines are specific to ions
• How does flame emission spectroscopy determine concentration?

  Lines become more intense at higher concentrations
• What are the advantages of instrumental methods like flame emission spectroscopy?

  • Rapid analysis of samples
  • Sensitive to tiny sample sizes
  • Accurate identification of metal ions
• What type of method is flame emission spectroscopy classified as?

  Instrumental method
• Why is flame emission spectroscopy preferred over flame tests?

  It is more accurate and sensitive
• Where can students find additional questions on flame tests and spectroscopy?

  In the revision workbook linked above