What elements make different color flames?
Flame colorants
| Color | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Red | Strontium chloride or strontium nitrate |
| Orange | Calcium chloride |
| Yellow-green | Barium chloride |
| Orange-yellow | Sodium chloride (table salt) |
Why are flame colors different for different elements?
When an electron drops from one level to a lower energy level, it emits a quantum of energy. The different mix of energy differences for each atom produces different colours. Each metal gives a characteristic flame emission spectrum.
Why do some elements have different symbols to their names?
With the same number of protons, the number of neutrons could be different. That’s why we have isotopes. Those isotopes could have different properties. It is why we have to give them different names and symbols in order to avoid confusion between them.
How can you identify an unknown element using a flame test?
The flame test is used to visually determine the identity of an unknown metal or metalloid ion based on the characteristic color the salt turns the flame of a bunsen burner. The heat of the flame converts the metal ions into atoms which become excited and emit visible light.
What color is fire at its hottest?
white-blue
When all flame colors combine, the color is white-blue which is the hottest. Most fires are the result of a chemical reaction between a fuel and oxygen called combustion.
What burns with a purple flame?
Potassium: Purple Potassium salts produce a characteristic purple or violet color in a flame.
What makes a flame purple?
Potassium salts produce a characteristic purple or violet color in a flame.
Is the flame test good way to identify an element?
For Group 1 compounds, flame tests are usually by far the easiest way of identifying which metal you have got. For other metals, there are usually other easy methods that are more reliable – but the flame test can give a useful hint as to where to look.
How can you identify an unknown metal?
You can identify an unknown substance by measuring its density and comparing your result to a list of known densities. Density = mass/volume. Assume that you have to identify an unknown metal. You can determine the mass of the metal on a scale.