So a Flame Test Investigation was conducted. In that activity, short wooden splints (sticks) were soaked in eight different chemical solutions. The splints were then held over a lit Bunsen burner one at a time, at which time each one gave off a distinctive color of light Each splint produced a dominant, vibrant color, and the color was different for each one. For example, the splint soaked in copper chloride produced a green flame and the splint soaked in lithium chloride produced a brilliant red flame. Please explain the following for me: 1. Why do chemicals give off light when heated by a Bunsen burner? 2. None of the chemicals produced “white light” similar to a common light fixture. In other words, none of the chemicals gave off the entire spectrum of visible colors. Why not? 3.  Why does each chemical give off its own unique color that is different from every other chemical?

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So a Flame Test Investigation was conducted. In that activity, short wooden splints (sticks)
were soaked in eight different chemical solutions. The splints were then held over a lit Bunsen burner one
at a time, at which time each one gave off a distinctive color of light

Each splint produced a dominant, vibrant color, and the color was different for each one. For
example, the splint soaked in copper chloride produced a green flame and the splint soaked in lithium
chloride produced a brilliant red flame.

Please explain the following for me:

1. Why do chemicals give off light when heated by a Bunsen burner?

2. None of the chemicals produced “white light” similar to a common light fixture. In other
words, none of the chemicals gave off the entire spectrum of visible colors. Why not?

3.  Why does each chemical give off its own unique color that is different from every other
chemical?

 

Give thorough explanations. Also, when explaining, correctly use each of the following terms at least once:
absorb, emit, ground state, excited state, continuous, quantum leap, photon, and energy level (or
sublevel). Underline, highlight, and/or boldface each of those terms the first time you use it.

The details for the Flame Test Investigation is attached.

Procedure:
1. Go to one of the lab stations that has wooden splints soaking in a beaker.
2. Note the name of the solution on the beaker.
3. Light and, if necessary, adjust the Bunsen burner.
4. Select one pre-soaked splint from the labeled beaker.
5. Heat the splint with the tip of the central blue flame, but avoid lighting the splint on fire. You can refresh the
splint by dipping it into the solution.
6.
Record your observations in the data table below.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 while observing the flame through a spectroscope.
8. Turn off the Bunsen burner.
9. If the splint is still usable, return it to the beaker. If not, put it in the waste beaker filled with water.
10. Move to another lab station and repeat steps 2-9.
11. After you have observed every solution, go to the lab table that has two white powders in two petri dishes.
12. Test each of the unknown powders: Get the end of the inoculating loop wet and dip it into the powder. Then
hold the end of the inoculating loop over the Bunsen burner flame and record your observations.
Transcribed Image Text:Procedure: 1. Go to one of the lab stations that has wooden splints soaking in a beaker. 2. Note the name of the solution on the beaker. 3. Light and, if necessary, adjust the Bunsen burner. 4. Select one pre-soaked splint from the labeled beaker. 5. Heat the splint with the tip of the central blue flame, but avoid lighting the splint on fire. You can refresh the splint by dipping it into the solution. 6. Record your observations in the data table below. 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 while observing the flame through a spectroscope. 8. Turn off the Bunsen burner. 9. If the splint is still usable, return it to the beaker. If not, put it in the waste beaker filled with water. 10. Move to another lab station and repeat steps 2-9. 11. After you have observed every solution, go to the lab table that has two white powders in two petri dishes. 12. Test each of the unknown powders: Get the end of the inoculating loop wet and dip it into the powder. Then hold the end of the inoculating loop over the Bunsen burner flame and record your observations.
FLAME TEST INVESTIGATION
Purpose:
When thermal energy is added to a substance, it might emit (give off) light. The light that a substance emits may be used
to identify the substance. In this activity you will collect data about the light that is emitted by a number of compounds
and attempt to use that information to determine the elements present in an unknown substance.
Materials:
• 1 M solutions of aluminum chloride, barium chloride, calcium chloride, copper chloride, lithium chloride,
potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and strontium chloride
Unknown white powders
• Wood splints (coffee sticks) pre-soaked in each solution. DO NOT TRANSFER SPLINTS FROM ONE SOLUTION TO
ANOTHER.
Inoculating loops
Bunsen burners and lighters
Spectroscopes
Waste beakers filled with water
Transcribed Image Text:FLAME TEST INVESTIGATION Purpose: When thermal energy is added to a substance, it might emit (give off) light. The light that a substance emits may be used to identify the substance. In this activity you will collect data about the light that is emitted by a number of compounds and attempt to use that information to determine the elements present in an unknown substance. Materials: • 1 M solutions of aluminum chloride, barium chloride, calcium chloride, copper chloride, lithium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and strontium chloride Unknown white powders • Wood splints (coffee sticks) pre-soaked in each solution. DO NOT TRANSFER SPLINTS FROM ONE SOLUTION TO ANOTHER. Inoculating loops Bunsen burners and lighters Spectroscopes Waste beakers filled with water
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