12.5.4

Testing Cations

Test yourself

Testing Cations

You can test solid cations using flame tests. The test allows you to identify the metal ions present in a single ionic compound.

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Flame test practical

  1. Clean a nichrome wire loop by submerging (completely covering) it in dilute hydrochloric acid.
  2. Dip the wire loop into the sample to be tested.
  3. Hold the wire loop in the blue flame of a Bunsen burner.
  4. Record the colour of the Bunsen flame.
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Results

  • Lithium ions (Li+) will burn with a crimson flame.
  • Sodium ions (Na+) will burn with a yellow flame.
  • Potassium ions (K+) will burn with a lilac flame.
  • Copper (II) ions (Cu2+) will burn with a green flame.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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