======Flame Tests======


<WRAP right box>
**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
\\
**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
\\


**Alternative titles:** Flame Test Colors
</WRAP>

====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Label small beakers for each metal salt and prepare about 50 mL of ≈1.0 M aqueous solutions for BaCl2, CaCl2, CuCl2, LiCl, KCl, NaCl, and SrCl2.
  - Soak separate wooden splints in each solution overnight; reserve a water beaker to quench used splints.
  - Set up a Bunsen burner in a clear area and light it with a striker; dim room lights if possible.
  - One at a time, pass a soaked splint slowly through the hottest part of the flame and observe the color; place the used splint in the water beaker.
  - Record the observed color and estimate wavelength or frequency using a visible spectrum chart.
  - For a mixture test, place a copper and a strontium splint in the flame together and identify both colors present.
  - If desired, present two unknown splints for students to identify from their color matches.


====Links==== 
Flame Test Colors - Step by Step Science: 
{{youtube>TMz_XR3o5mg?}}\\

The Flame Test Experiment- The Chemistry of Colorful Flames - Chem Camp with Mrs. Newman: 
{{youtube>7hC-KyFraCQ?}}\\

📄 The Flame Test - ACS Institute: [[https://institute.acs.org/acs-center/lab-safety/education-training/safer-experiments/flame-test.html]]\\



====Variations====
  * Look at through a spectroscope to filter the individual color bands.
  * Spray the solutions onto a flame using a perfume sprayer.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear safety goggles, lab coat or apron, and tie back hair.
  * Use only aqueous salt solutions on splints; do not use flammable solvents such as methanol or ethanol.
  * Keep flammables away from the burner and maintain a clear workspace.
  * Some salts are highly toxic; refer to safety data sheets before use.
  * Quench used splints in water and dispose of residues sensibly.





====Questions to Consider====
  * Which ions produced each flame color, and how can color be used to identify an unknown?
  * Using c = λν, convert an observed wavelength to frequency and vice versa; which colors correspond to higher energy photons?
  * How do electronic energy levels and electron transitions explain the observed discrete colors?
  * How is this safer method different from the traditional rainbow demo that used alcohol fuels on the bench?