Flame Test Experiment

Flame Tests

Flame Test is a test for detecting the presence of certain metals in compounds by the coloration they give to a flame. Sodium, for example, turns a flame yellow.

Flame Test and some of the elements and its colors.

This video is a very cool video. It is the one I liked the most. It is on my google profile because it did not want to work by giving the youtube link. https://plus.google.com/u/0/app/basic/112639368626812403214/posts?cbp=wmh9kn951yly&sview=25

Data Table:

Chemical Compounds:	Elements Involved:	Characteristics:
Barium Chloride	Ba, Cl	green, yellow
Calcium Chloride	Ca, Cl	orange, red
Lithium Chloride	Li, Cl	pink, blue
Potassium Chloride	K, Cl	blue, purple
Sodium Chloride	Na, Cl	yellow, orange
Strontium Chloride	Sr, Cl	red
Aluminum Foil	Al, Cl	unknown
Unknown???	Li, Ba	green, pink

 Analysis Questions:

1.) What indicators (at least 3) determine that a chemical change (or reaction) has occurred?

• Energy is absorbed or given off in a reaction.

• There is a change in color.

• There is a change in odor.

• A liquid produces a gas or a solid.

• Chemical changes are irreversible and new substances are made.

2) What is emitted when a chemical change takes place in the flame test?

     • A color is emitted.

3.) What group, from the periodic table, do these elements exist?

 

     • Alkaline Earth Metals, Nonmetals, Alkali Metals, and Other Metals.

4.) Do any two elements give the same spectrum of color? Explain why?

• BlCl and "Unknown" give both green, and a different color. They both give green because they both has Barium involved.

5.) Recall what a catalyst is in a chemical reaction.  What was the catalyst in these reactions?

• A catalyst is what a cause a reaction. The catalyst in these reactions were heat.

Post Lab Questions:

Critical Thinking: In your blog, explain how the data gathered in this lab can be used to solve crimes or convict criminals. Research the topic and use what you discovered in class to write 1-2 paragraphs on answering question.

• Forensic science uses flame as one of its methods in solving crime. Through flame test on the victim blood, they would notice if the victim is poisoned or not. Flame tests are used to help identify substances used in murders.

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