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Flame Emission Spectroscopy

Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 8.3.10

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:

Step 1

Step 1

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

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.

Test yourself on Flame Emission Spectroscopy

  • What can flame emission spectroscopy determine about the metal ions in a solution?

  • Why can a spectroscope produce a line spectrum from the emitted light?

  • What happens when a metal solution is placed into a flame during flame emission spectroscopy?

  • What would happen if a spectroscope could not distinguish between light of different wavelengths?

  • What is the key difference between the role of the flame and the role of the spectroscope in flame emission spectroscopy?

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