8.3.7

Flame Emission Spectroscopy

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Flame Emission Spectroscopy

Flame emission spectroscopy is an instrumental method used to work out the identity and concentration of the metal ions present in a solution. The process is as follows:

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Step 1

  • Place a sample of the metal solution being tested into a flame. Light will be given off.
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Step 2

  • The light that is given off is captured by a spectroscope.
    • This instrument generates a line spectrum by distinguishing between light with different wavelengths.

Flame Emission Spectroscopy Analysis

We can analyse the line spectra produced by flame emission spectroscopy to see which metal ions are present and their concentrations.

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Identity of metal ions

  • Each metal ion will generate a new line spectrum. This means that we can identify all ions present in a solution.
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Concentration of metal ions

  • The concentration of an ion is indicated by the intensity of line spectra.
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Reference spectra

  • Unlike flame tests, flame emission spectroscopy allows us to analyse mixtures by comparing them with reference spectra.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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