Flame Tests

Question 1

What are flame tests?

Answer 1

There are several different tests to detect and identify the ions in compounds.
Different metal ions produce different flame colours when they are heated strongly. This is the basis of flame tests.

Question 2

How is a flame test carried out?

Answer 2

• Dip a clean wire loop into a solid sample of the compound being tested
• Put the loop into the edge of the blue flame from a Bunsen burner
• Observe and record the flame colour produced

Question 3

What colour flame is present for
Lithium, Li+

Answer 3

Red

Question 4

What colour flame is present for Sodium, Na+

Answer 4

Yellow

Question 5

What colour flame is present for Potassium, K+

Answer 5

Lilac

Question 6

What colour flame is present for Calcium, Ca2+

Answer 6

Orange-red

Question 7

What colour flame is present for Barium, Ba2+
Copper, Cu2+

Answer 7

Green

Question 8

What colour flame is present for Copper, Cu2+

Answer 8

Blue-green