Flame Test
- Page ID
- 128814
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Required Training |
Required PPE |
|---|---|
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UC Lab Safety Fundamentals |
Lab coat, safety glasses/goggles, nitrile gloves |
|
Equipment |
Chemicals |
|
Handheld torch |
Lithium Chloride (red or ruby flame) |
|
Forceps |
Sodium Chloride (yellow/bright orange flame) |
|
Wooden applicator |
Copper Chloride (blue) |
|
|
Strontium Chloride (red or crimson flame) |
|
Calcium Chloride (brick red) |
|
|
Barium Chloride (light green) |
|
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Potassium Chloride (light lilac) |
|
Procedure:
- Saturated wooden sticks were prepared in saturated salt solutions. Sticks were dried. Note: Calcium Chloride & Lithium Chloride are hydroscopic and may still be damp.
- Light handheld torch.
- Holding the wooden sticks w/ the forceps, place the sticks in the flame. Salt will superimpose a color on the torch flame. Colors are best viewed with the room lights dimmed.
Discussion:
Electrons of the metal ions are excited to higher energy states by the heat of the flame. As excited ions leave the flame, the electrons are de-excited and release energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation, commonly called “light.” For some metal ions this light is visible to the naked eye
Hazards: 
The propane torch is a fire hazard, so a blue, flame resistant lab coat should be worn by the demonstrator. Keep flame pointed away from flammable material.
SOP:
N/A
Disposal (by Storeroom)
All chemicals, except the copper chloride and strontium chloride, can be dissolved in water and flushed down the drain. Copper and strontium chlorides are dissolved in water and disposed of as cation metal waste