Experiment 8 report

Lana Sukarieh Professor Ahmad Al-Shawa Chem 110 October 3, 2023 Experiment #8: flame test of metal solutions Introduction In lab 8, we used the Bunsen burner to perform a chemical flame test. We dipped a nichrome wire in 10 different solutions and determined the color of the flame and the element. As well as establish a connection between energy levels and photons. Each solution produced a different color flame because of its different ions. Data: Solution Element (metal) Color of flame LiCl lithium red MgCl magnesium orange NaCl sodium orange KCl potassium violet BaCl ₂ barium green CaCl ₂ calcium orange NiCl ₂ nickel yellow CuCL ₂ copper green Sr (NO ₃ ) ₂ strontium red unknown solution #115 lithium red table 1: data of known and unknown solutions Post lab questions 1. What two difficulties arise in interpreting a flame test? 1.contaminants can affect test result 2.Test doesn’t help differentiate between elements, as many give the same color flame 2. Meteors are usually white or orange-ish, but occasionally appear violet. What gives rise to the violet color? (hint: Wikipedia). Calcium gives rise to the violet color.

3. Yule logs are simulated wood logs made of compressed paper that burn with a red and green flame. How would you produce a similar Yule log? We can reproduce a similar Yule log by dipping a piece of paper in compounds that produce a red or a green flame. Conclusion: Photons and electrons are found in various compounds and elements and emit distinct colored flames. This is due to the element's electron count. Violet has more energy since its wavelength is shorter, and electrons exert more energy in this photon stage. As a result, potassium had the most energy in this lab experiment since it produced a violet color when exposed to a flame. Sources of error 1. Nichrome wire has contaminants on it from previous tests. This can affect the test result by giving off a different flame color. 2. Not positioning the wire at the hottest part of the flame. This can cause the flame to have little to no color. 3. Distinguishing between colors as some appear to be similar