This chemistry lab document provides instructions and questions for an experiment on the electron configurations of lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride. Students are asked to write out the electron configurations of each element and determine the approximate wavelength of light emitted when each salt is burned based on its electron configuration. The document also prompts students to explain why salt compounds give off light when burned and compare the colors emitted from sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

1. Lab 5 Electron ConfigurationCHEM101L
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Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is electron configuration?
2. How is the light emitted by an atom related to its electron
configuration?
Data
Table 1: Results of firework material ignition
Substance
Observations
Lithium Chloride
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Sodium Chloride
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Potassium Chloride
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Calcium Chloride
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Post-Lab Questions
1. Write out the electron configurations for each of the
following elements. Potassium is already done as an example
for you. HINT: The periodic table is very helpful and can be
used as a guide.
Element
Electron Configuration
K
1s22s22p63s23p64s1
Li
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Na

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Ca
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2. What is the approximate wavelength of light emitted by each
of the salts?
Salt
Color
Wavelength
LiCl
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NaCl
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KCl
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CaCl2
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3. Why does a salt compound give off light or a colored flame
when burned?
4. Did sodium chloride and potassium chloride give off similar
colors? Why or why not?
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3. Experiment 1The Chemistry of Fireworks
Experiment Inventory
Materials
5 mL Calcium Chloride
Solution
(CaCl2)
5 mL Lithium Chloride