Flame Test Emission Spectroscopy

Mr. Bartelt’s Chemistry Class

I. Introduction
If an element can be placed in solution and that solution aspirated into (sucked into) a
burning flame, the element's electrons will absorb energy. This process is sometimes
called "exciting" the electrons. As those electrons then return to their normal or “ground”
state, energy is emitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Simply stated: if you
excite, via heat, a metallic electron, that electron will become excited and emit light as it
returns to its ground (non-excited) state.

Every element emits a unique characteristic light. Just as a fingerprint is unique to each
person, the color of light emitted after excitation of an element is unique to that element.

Only a few elements give off a characteristic light in the visible region of the spectrum.
The visible region of the spectrum is that which is visible to the human eye. For most
elements the characteristic frequencies are detectable only in the ultraviolet or infrared
region of the spectrum.

The emission of a characteristic color (electromagnetic radiation) as the excited electron

returns to its ground state provides remarkable tools to analytical chemists (e.g., emission
spectrograph, quantometer, flame spectrophotometer, etc.). In a crude way, you will be
replicating the process used in these very sophisticated instruments.

Barium, calcium, lithium, potassium, sodium, and strontium are examples of elements
that display a characteristic light in the visible region of the spectrum. These metallic ions
can be identified via the flame test.

II. Objective:
• To excite selected substances and observe the characteristic emission spectra.
• To identify substances by their color emission.

Caution:
We will be working with flammable liquids in lab today. There is to be not horse
play or practicle jokes. Safety goggles and a lab apron are to be worn at all times
while not observing through the spectroscope.
NOTE: The evaporating dishes will be housing an alcohol flame. This makes the
evaporating dish quite hot. DO NOT TOUCH THE EVAPORATING DISH WITH
YOUR HANDS AFTER IT HAS BEEN ON FIRE!
Materials Needed:
Evaporating dish and compounds (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, CuCl2)
Laboratory burner
Graduated cylinder, 50 mL or 100 mL
Stirring rod, spatula, and tongs
Bunsen burner, flint lighter
II. Procedure:
1. Obtain the first sample of from your instructor.
2. Place a small amount of your sample in an evaporating dish using a spatula.
3. Add 25-50 mL of ethanol (denatured so if you drink it you go blind) to the evaporating
dish.
4. Using a clean stirring rod, carefully stir the solution until as much of the solid as
possible has dissolved.
5. When you are told, ignite your Bunsen burner.
6. Use your Bunsen burner to ignite the alcohol.
7. Wait approximately 30 seconds for the flame to begin emitting the substance’s
characteristic light. At this point the lights will be turned off.
8. Observe the flame and record color of the line on the worksheet provided. Be sure to
label the substance observed and the color of the flame produced (e.g. Ba2+
Green/Yellow). Additionally, record any other observations about the sample that you
feel might be important. Describe the way it burns, or how the flames behave or anything
else that seems peculiar or unusual.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for every sample.
III. Data/Results
Sample Color emitted/ observations
LiCl
NaCl
KCl
CaCl2
CuCl2
Questions to be addressed in the conclusion

1. What color flame did each sample produce?

2. Why are different colored flames produced?