2.1.13
Flame Emission Spectroscopy
Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
Flame Emission Spectroscopy
Flame emission spectroscopy is an instrumental method used to identify the metal ions present in a solution and their concentrations.

The process
- Place a sample of a metal solution into a flame. Light is emitted.

Spectroscopes
- The light that is emitted is captured by a spectroscope.
- This instrument can distinguish between different wavelengths of light to produce a line spectrum.
Flame Emission Spectroscopy Analysis
We can analyse the line spectra produced by flame emission spectroscopy to see which metal ions are present. We can also work out the concentration of the metal ions.

Identity of metal ions
- Each metal ion will generate a distinct line spectrum. This means that we can identify all ions present in a solution.

Concentration of metal ions
- The intensity of line spectra gives information about the concentration of an ion.

Reference spectra
- Unlike flame tests, flame emission spectroscopy allows us to analyse mixtures by comparing them with reference spectra.
1Biology
2Chemistry
2.1Practicals
2.1.1Salts2.1.2Neutralisation2.1.3Titration2.1.4Electrolysis2.1.5Electrolysis 22.1.6Rate of Reaction2.1.7Rate of Reaction 22.1.8Chromatography2.1.9Identifying Gases2.1.10Identifying Gases 22.1.11Identifying Ions2.1.12Carbonates, Halides & Sulfates2.1.13Flame Emission Spectroscopy2.1.14Water Purification2.1.15Water Purification 2
3Physics
3.1Practicals
Jump to other topics
1Biology
2Chemistry
2.1Practicals
2.1.1Salts2.1.2Neutralisation2.1.3Titration2.1.4Electrolysis2.1.5Electrolysis 22.1.6Rate of Reaction2.1.7Rate of Reaction 22.1.8Chromatography2.1.9Identifying Gases2.1.10Identifying Gases 22.1.11Identifying Ions2.1.12Carbonates, Halides & Sulfates2.1.13Flame Emission Spectroscopy2.1.14Water Purification2.1.15Water Purification 2
3Physics
3.1Practicals
Practice questions on Flame Emission Spectroscopy
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What can flame emission spectroscopy determine about a solution?Fill in the list
- 2What is flame emission spectroscopy used to identify?Multiple choice
- 3What is the output of spectroscopes?Multiple choice
- 4
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books