- To explorethe line spectra of a variety of elements by heating
them in a Bunsen burner flame
- The data gathered from the flame colors created by the elements
will be used to identify some elements present in unknown
solutions
FLAME TESTS
4.
- Electrons inatoms, ions and molecules are restricted to specific
energy levels
- An electron “excited” by some outside energy (flame or
electricity) moves from its present energy level to a higher
energy level
- A photon of light is produced as the electron falls back to its
ground state
- The light given off is of a specific color since it has a specific
wavelength or frequency of light associated with it
FLAME TESTS
- A glassprism can be used to identify the
various “lines” produced by the photons
- The various photons bend differently as light
passes through a prism depending upon their
wavelength (or frequency)
- The smaller the wavelength the greater the
bending or diffraction and vice versa
FLAME TESTS
- Hold theplatinum wire in the
flame until it is clean
- Position the wire loops at the tip
of the blue cone of the flame
until little or no color exhibit
by the flame
BUNSEN BURNER
10.
- Place severaldrops of the solution
to be tested in the small crucible
dish supplied
DROPS OF SOLUTION
11.
- Hold thecrucible near the air
intake of the Bunsen burner
SAMPLE VAPORIZATION
Package
Click here to watch video
12.
- Plunge thehot wire into the
crucible
- Sample will be vaporized and
carried up the burner and into the
flame
- Observe and record the color
emitted
SAMPLE VAPORIZATION
Click on picture to watch video
13.
- Move toa new location for the next flame test
- The burners and wires stay in one location
- Be sure to observe all of the seven known samples and
the five unknown samples
- Match the colors to identify the unknown samples
IDENTIFICATION OF UNKNOWNS
