Flame tests for metal cations

part 4 of 12.5 Identification of ions and gases

Procedure for flame test

• Dip the loop of an unreactive metal wire such as nichrome or platinum in concentrated hydrochloric acid and then hold it in the flame of a Bunsen burner

  • This cleans the wire loop and avoids contamination

• Dip the loop into the acid into the acid again, then dip into the metal salt / into the solution and place it in the edge of the blue Bunsen flame

Lithium / Li⁺

Red

Calcium / Ca²⁺

orange-red

Sodium / Na⁺

yellow

Barium / Ba²⁺

light green

copper / Cu²⁺

blue green

Potassium / K⁺

Lilac