How do you do a flame test at home?

Wet the eye of the needle with water, and dip into table salt. Hold the cork so that the end of the needle with the salt is in the top part of a gas flame. You should be able to see a bright, predominantly yellow color. (Note: The top third of the gas flame is the hottest part of the flame.)

What does the color of a flame test indicate?

Color tells us about the temperature of a candle flame. The inner core of the candle flame is light blue, with a temperature of around 1670 K (1400 °C). That is the hottest part of the flame. The color inside the flame becomes yellow, orange, and finally red.

What is the importance of flame test?

The flame test is a qualitative test used in chemistry to help determine the identity or possible identity of a metal or metalloid ion found in an ionic compound. If the compound is placed in the flame of a gas burner, there may be a characteristic color given off that is visible to the naked eye.

What metals burn what colors?

Table of Flame Test Colors

Flame Color Metal Ion
White Magnesium, titanium, nickel, hafnium, chromium, cobalt, beryllium, aluminum
Crimson (deep red) Strontium, yttrium, radium, cadmium
Red Rubidium, zirconium, mercury
Pink-red or magenta Lithium

How is light produced in a flame test?

In flame tests, salts that are dissolved in water are evaporated using a hot flame. In the flame, the metal atoms become excited and produce their characteristic spectrum of light.

Can you do a flame test with a lighter?

To see colored flames, soak strips of paper in the solution. After drying, burn the strips with a lighter flame. Exercise caution with this activity: conduct the experiment on a flameproof surface and make sure there are no flammable materials nearby.

Can you do a flame test with a candle?

Light the candle, burner, or alcohol lamp. Dip one end of a swab in selected aqueous solution. Place the dipped end of the swab into the flame and have students observe the color produced. Repeat procedure for each solution using a new swab.

What metals burn different colors?