Test for Cations

• Fireworks are a key part of human celebrations due to their bright colors and patterns
• What is used to clean the nichrome wire in a flame test?

  Hydrochloric acid
• The nichrome wire must be cleaned between each test to avoid contamination
• Match each ion with its corresponding flame color:

  Sodium ions ↔️ Yellow-orange

  Potassium ions ↔️ Lilac

  Calcium ions ↔️ Brick red

  Strontium ions ↔️ Red

  Copper ions ↔️ Blue

  Barium ions ↔️ Light green
• Why are concentrated hydrochloric acid vapors used in a flame test?

  To vaporize metal chlorides
• When electrons fall back to their original energy levels, they release energy in the form of light with a unique wavelength
• The characteristic flame color of each ion is due to its unique electron configuration
• Which group in the periodic table do strontium and barium belong to?

  Group 2
• Steps to conduct a flame test

  1️⃣ Clean nichrome wire in HCl

  2️⃣ Place wire in flame until no color

  3️⃣ Scoop unknown solid onto wire

  4️⃣ Place wire at edge of flame

  5️⃣ Observe characteristic color
• What type of light is released when electrons in ions fall back to their original energy levels?

  Visible light