Flame Tests Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is a flame test in chemistry?

A flame test is a method used to identify some metal ions by the colour they make in a Bunsen burner flame.

Why do scientists use flame tests on unknown samples?

They use flame tests to help find out which metal ions are in an unknown sample by looking at the flame colour.

What is the basic method for doing a flame test on a solid salt?

Dip a clean wire loop into the sample, put it into the edge of a Bunsen burner flame, and observe the colour.

Why must the wire loop be cleaned before each flame test?

It must be cleaned so that no metal from a previous test is left behind to give the wrong flame colour.

What flame colour does lithium ion (Li⁺) produce?

Lithium ions produce a crimson red flame.

What flame colour does sodium ion (Na⁺) produce?

Sodium ions produce a yellow flame.

What flame colour does potassium ion (K⁺) produce?

Potassium ions produce a lilac (pale purple) flame.

What flame colour does calcium ion (Ca²⁺) produce?

Calcium ions produce an orange-red flame.

What flame colour does copper(II) ion (Cu²⁺) produce?

Copper(II) ions produce a green or blue-green flame.

Why do different metal ions give different flame colours?

Different metal ions have electrons with different energy changes, so they give out different colours of light in the flame.