eFlame Test Virtual Lab
Part 1 Flame tests and identification of an unknown metal:
Observe and record the color of the flame for each metal ion. Remember the metal ions are paired with a
nonmetal ion in an ionic formula unit. The electrical charges have to add to zero. The metal ions are
converted to atoms in the flame and then excited by the heat from the Bunsen burner flame. The
nonmetal ions, anions, do not get converted to atoms and do not and emit visible light like the metals
do.
Repeat procedure for each known. Record the color observed for the unknowns and use the color match
to identify the metal atom that is the produced from the cation in the unknown.
Metal ion
LINKS
Observed Flame color
barium
click for flame test
_________________________
calcium
click for flame test
_________________________
sodium
click for flame test
_________________________
rubidium
click for flame test
_________________________
potassium
click for flame test
_________________________
lithium
click for flame test
_________________________
Part 1 Flame tests for unknown elements
Unknowns
LINK
Flame color
Identity of metal ion
*based on flame test
Unknown 1
click for flame test
____________
__________
Unknown 2
click for flame test
____________
__________
Conclusion:
1. Some fireplace logs (commercially made) burn with a red and/or green flame. Using
the information in this experiment, what elements could be responsible for these
colored flames?
2. At a 4th of July celebration, aerial fireworks produce a variety of colors. Which
element(s) would you include to produce crimson red? Yellow?
3. Write the electron configuration for an atom of Barium. Write an electron
configuration for a Barium ion.
4. How many electrons are in the outermost, or valence, energy level of the following
atoms?
a. Al
b. C
c. F
d. Na
Flame Test Virtual Lab
Part 1 Flame tests and identification of an unknown metal:
Observe and record the color of the flame for each metal ion. Remember the metal ions are paired with a
nonmetal ion in an ionic formula unit. The electrical charges have to add to zero. The metal ions are
converted to atoms in the flame and then excited by the heat from the Bunsen burner flame. The
nonmetal ions, anions, do not get converted to atoms and do not and emit visible light like the metals
do.
Repeat procedure for each known. Record the color observed for the unknowns and use the color match
to identify the metal atom that is the produced from the cation in the unknown.
Metal ion
LINKS
Observed Flame color
barium
click for flame test
_________________________
calcium
click for flame test
_________________________
sodium
click for flame test
_________________________
rubidium
click for flame test
_________________________
potassium
click for flame test
_________________________
lithium
click for flame test
_________________________
Part 1 Flame tests for unknown elements
Unknowns
LINK
Flame color
Identity of metal ion
*based on flame test
Unknown 1
click for flame test
____________
__________
Unknown 2
click for flame test
____________
__________
Conclusion:
1. Some fireplace logs (commercially made) burn with a red and/or green flame. Using
the information in this experiment, what elements could be responsible for these
colored flames?
2. At a 4th of July celebration, aerial fireworks produce a variety of colors. Which
element(s) would you include to produce crimson red? Yellow?
3. Write the electron configuration for an atom of Barium. Write an electron
configuration for a Barium ion.
4. How many electrons are in the outermost, or valence, energy level of the following
atoms?
a. Al
b. C
c. F
d. Na
5. How many electrons are in the outermost, or valence, energy level of the following
atoms?
e. Al
f. C
g. F
h. Na
6. An arson investigator is called to a suspicious fire that destroyed a house. The arson
investigator collects a sample of debris, which was found at the base of the structure,
containing some accelerant used to start the fire. Once the investigator goes back to
the lab and tests the sample, a purple flame is emitted from the sample. What metal
was part of the accelerant used to burn the house?
7. A forensic scientist does a flame on a substance that was found at a crime scene. What
might the scientist conclude if the flame turns green?
8. Write a ground state electron configuration for each neutral atom. Ground state means
that all of the lowest possible energy levels (up to the proper number of electrons for
the element) are filled.
a. Na
c. Sr
e. N
g. Ti
i. Cl
b. Pb
d. U
f. Ag
h. Ce
j. Hg
9. Write a ground state electron configuration for these ions. Remember that ions have a
change in the total number of electrons (positive have lost electrons and negative have
gained)
a. O-2
b. Fe+2
c. B+3
d. Ni+2
e. K+
f. Co+3
10. Complete the following table in your lab notebook:
Element Atomic #
# of
Electron
Number of After the Charge
electrons Configuration
electrons
loss or
on the
in each
lost or
gain;
ion
level
gained
number of
electrons
left
Se
Li
S
Ra
Al
Te
Xe
Ca
F
Br
Si
I
Cs
Ba
Rb
5. An arson investigator is called to a suspicious fire that destroyed a house. The arson
6.
7.
8.
9.
investigator collects a sample of debris, which was found at the base of the structure,
containing some accelerant used to start the fire. Once the investigator goes back to
the lab and tests the sample, a purple flame is emitted from the sample. What metal
was part of the accelerant used to burn the house?
A forensic scientist does a flame on a substance that was found at a crime scene. What
might the scientist conclude if the flame turns green?
Write a ground state electron configuration for each neutral atom. Ground state means
that all of the lowest possible energy levels (up to the proper number of electrons for
the element) are filled.
a. Na
c. Sr
e. N
g. Ti
i. Cl
b. Pb
d. U
f. Ag
h. Ce
j. Hg
Write a ground state electron configuration for these ions. Remember that ions have a
change in the total number of electrons (positive have lost electrons and negative have
gained)
a. O-2
b. Fe+2
c. B+3
d. Ni+2
e. K+
f. Co+3
Complete the following table in your lab notebook:
Element Atomic #
# of
Electron
Number of After the Charge
electrons Configuration
electrons
loss or
on the
in each
lost or
gain;
ion
level
gained
number of
electrons
left
Se
Li
S
Ra
Al
Te
Xe
Ca
F
Br
Si
I
Cs
Ba
Rb