Flame Test for Metallic Ions II
Description: Methanol solutions of several different metal salts are sprayed into a Bunsen burner. A ball of fire is produced that gives characteristic flame-test color.
Source: Rodney Schreiner, JCE
Year: 2001 Vol: 78, 5 Page: 640
Keywords: Spectroscopy, Emission, Visible spectrum, Properties of substances
Rating: 
Hazard: High
- Flammability hazard
- Flammable liquids
- Acute toxicity hazard- central nervous system, eyes, dermal, inhalation
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Aquatic toxicity hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Carcinogenicity hazard
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Strong effects are seen by audience
- Contrast of system under study is obvious
- Time to results is very low
- Good reliability
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
Difficulty: Medium
- Reactions at non-standard conditions
- Simple procedures
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
- Use of open flames
Safety Precautions:
- Gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Use flame resistant surface
- Use chemically resistant surface
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Absorbent material on hand
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Minimum observation distance is two meters
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Atomic Structure, Combustion, Atomic Emission
Division: General, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
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