flame tests

• Flame test


  Identify metal ions

  Use a clean nichrome loop

  Dip it into sample you're testing

  Put loop through a blue flame

  Observe flame colour
• Flame test results + memory tools

  Li+ → crimson flame (Lady in Red (crimson))

  Na+ → yellow flame (Sunny (yellow) Sodium)

  K+ → lilac flame (Purple (lilac) Potassium)

  Ca2+ → orange-red flame (Orange Cat)

  Cu2+ → green flame (statue of liberty is made of copper, it is green)
• Masking

  If a sample contains a mixture of ions, some colours may be masked (eg Na+ present masks K+'s lilac colour)