Flame Test Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts, mechanisms, and equations of the Flame Test based on the Labster theory notes.

Flame Test

A common analytic procedure used to distinguish different metal ions depending on the emission spectrum that is produced when the element is introduced into a hot flame.

Valence electrons

The specific electrons in a metal ion that are excited by heat and emit a certain wavelength ($\lambda$) in the visible light spectrum when falling back to their original state.

Atomic Excitation

The process where heat energy causes valence electrons to move to a higher energy state.

Atomic De-excitation

The process where valence electrons fall back to their original state, emitting energy in the form of light.

Visible light spectrum

The range of wavelengths in which the characteristic colors of most metal ions are observed during a flame test.

$$E = \frac{hc}{\lambda}$$

The formula used to describe the energy ($E$) of the light emitted during de-excitation, where $\lambda$ represents the wavelength.

Emission spectrum

The unique pattern of light wavelengths produced by a specific metal ion when introduced into a flame, used for identification purposes.