Flame Test Lab Report

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Introduction: In the flame test, the electrons of the flame become excited through the application of heat whilst at the same time reacting with the gas (emitted from the reaction of a metal carbonate and hydrochloric acid). This ‘excitement’ causes electrons to move from their current energy level, to higher energy levels, becoming unstable – and as they return to their original energy levels, the electrons emit an energy. If this energy is in the form of a visible light, it’s interpreted as the light of a certain colour - this is known as the emission of light. The colour being emitted is dependent on how far an electron jumps - determining how much energy is released; since there are different levels of energy being released for different…show more content…
Hypothesis: If you change the metal carbonate being mixed in hydrochloric acid, then the flame’s colour will change as these metals have different electron configurations and shells. Materials: Material Purpose Spatula Used to scoop out the chemicals Gauze mat Used to disperse heat and provide additional support Heatproof mat Used to protect the work bench from being damaged Bunsen burner Used to apply heat to the gas Metal carbonates (Potassium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Copper Carbonate, Strontium Carbonate) Used to react with the acid and vary the flame colour Hydrochloric acid Used to disperse the metal carbonates into the air Crucible Used to house the metal carbonate and acid Matchsticks Used to start up the Bunsen burner Water Used to clean the crucible before use Goggles Used to protect eyes from chemicals Paper towels Used to dry the wet crucible after cleaning Tripod Used to support the gauze mat and crucible Chemical waste bin Used to dispose of chemical waste Method: 1. Place the heatproof mat onto the bench and then place the tripod on top of…show more content…
Place the gauze mat onto the tripod and then place the crucible on top of the gauze mat. If the crucible isn’t clean, ensure you dispose of any chemical waste in the corresponding bin; then wash the crucible with water and dry using paper towels. 3. Plug the rubber hose of the Bunsen burner into the gas tap, ensuring the Bunsen burner is on the safety flame (open holes) and that the gas is initially turned off. 4. Instruct your partner to light a flame using the matchsticks and as they place the flame over the Bunsen burner turn on the gas. 5. Scoop out the metal carbonate using the spatula, only fill about half of the spatula with the compound and place it in the crucible. 6. Add a couple of drops of hydrochloric acid to the crucible, and immediately after have either you or a partner hover the Bunsen burner directly over the solution – without touching it. 7. Observe and take note of the flame colour/s, and once done turn off the Bunsen burner. 8. Turn off the Bunsen burner and repeat steps 1-7 using a different metal carbonate. Results Table 1 Results Metal Carbonate Colour Seen (Lightest to Darkest) Colour It Should

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