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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004  > December  >
In the Classroom
JCE Classroom Activity
Flame Tests: Which Ion Causes the Color?
Michael J. Sanger
Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Cover
December 2004
Vol. 81 No. 12
p. 1776A
Abstract
The purpose of this Activity is to determine which of the ions in a series of ionic compounds (the cation or the anion) is responsible for the colors in a simple flame test. Students will perform flame test experiments using cotton swabs and a Bunsen burner for ten commercially-available ionic compounds. A molecular compound that produces a flame test color is also included. This Activity introduces students to flame test techniques in an inquiry-based manner. Instead of telling students the metal cation in an ionic compound is usually responsible for the flame test colors observed in lab, students are asked to determine whether it is usually the cation or the anion that is responsible for the colors. This Activity is also useful in teaching students the importance of controlling variables and making meaningful comparisons.
Supplement
High resolution color images of the various flame tests are available.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

*  Contents Folder JCE2004p1776AW containing fig1.tif, fig2.tif, fig3.tif, and fig4.tif.
*  Download
JCE2004p1776AW.zip

JCE2004p1776AW.sit
More Information
*  Citation
 Sanger, Michael J. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 1776A.
*  Keywords
 Atomic Properties / Structure; General Chemistry; Inquiry-Based / Discovery Method; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Qualitative Analysis; Teaching / Learning Aids
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 November 1, 2004
November 9, 2004
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