Mandatory Experiment: Flame Tests (Li, Na, K, Ba, Sr, Cu)

Chemistry Page

Equipment:

Samples of salts to be tested
Pestle
Mortar
Soaked wooden splints (one for each salt sample to prevent cross-contamination)
Bunsen burner.

Experiment:

1. Use pestle and mortar to crush salts.
2. Dip splint in salts and place in Bunsen flame. Note colour.

Results

Potassium – Purple

Strontium – Red

Lithium – Deep Red

Barium – Yellow-Green

Copper – Blue-Green

Sodium – Yellow (used in Street lights)