Purpose: To identify an unknown element by comparing the color of the flame it produces to that of know elements.
Materials: Bunsen burner; 7 test tubes with solution of 6 known elements and one unknown; 7 wood splints; goggles.
Safety issues: tie hair back, no loose clothing, focused attitude, no playing around in the lab area.
Procedure:
1. Let up the bunsen burner in the appropriate
way.
2. Start with the element at your table.
2. Get enough sample on the end of the metal
loop connected to the cork holder.
3. Hold the metal loop over the flame. Stroke
it through the flame. This technique will allow the flame to excite
the electrons in the solution and burn the stick.
4. Record the color produced. Be as
specific as you can. There are variety of red, blues and greens
Observations:
Describe the color that is produced
in the flame. The more specific you are the better off you will be to name
the unknown. Record your descriptions in the Data Table.
DATA TABLE ________________________
| Chemical Elements |
|
Color produced |
| Barium | ||
| Copper | ||
| Lithium | ||
| Potassium | ||
| Sodium | ||
| Strontium | ||
| Unknown |
Result:
Keeping the electromagnetic spectrum
in mind, what IS each of the flame color?
Analysis/Conclusion
1. What was the element in the unknown solution?
2. What was the characteristic that you observed
that helped you answer the question number 1?
3. Why would knowing the characteristics
of an element be helpful in the field of astronomy?