Flame Test and Spectroscopy

Purpose: Using the flame test to identify different metals. Observe the effect of cobalt glass on the light emitted from the potassium salts. Use a spectroscope to observe Mercurys spectrum and determine each wavelengths frequency and wavelength. Procedure: Light the Bunsen burner and adjust the flame to form a blue cone about 3 inches in height. Saturate enough wooden splints in deionized water to perform the flame test with eight different salts. Dip a splint into the salt container and wave it through the flame making sure not to burn the splint. Repeat this process for each salt using a new splint every time. Record the colors of all the salts in the data chart. Based on the colors emitted by the other seven salts, determine the unknown salt. Estimate the wavelength of each salts color in nanometers and record them in the data chart also. Using a spectroscope, observe and draw the line spectrum of the Mercury (Hg) geisler tube. Calculate the frequency and energy for each wavelength. Data and Calculations:

Flame Test Results

Salt: Color of flame Wavelength in nm NaCl
Orange

KCl
Pink White (Light Purple)

SrCl2
Red

CuCl
Neon Green

LiCl
Purple Red Purple400 nm Red- 700 nm

CaCl2
Red Orange Red- 700 nm Orange600 nm

BaCl2
Lime Green

Unknown
Orange Yellow Orange- 640 nm Yellow- 600 nm

640 nm

400 nm

700 nm

510 nm

570 nm

The chart above displays the flame color and wavelength for each salt from the flame test.

The above spectrum highlights the line spectrum of Mercury (Hg).

Mercury Spectroscope Results

Purple Wavelength in nm 410 nm Frequency 7.32*1014 (Hz) 1/s Energy (J) 4.83*10-19 J Indigo 450 nm 6.67*1014 1/s 4.42*10-19 J Green 550 nm 5.45*1014 1/s 3.61*10-19 J Orange 640 nm 4.69*1014 1/s 3.11*10-19 J Red 710 nm 4.23*1014 1/s 2.80*10-19 J

The chart displays the frequencies, wavelengths, and energy of each wavelength in the Mercury line spectrum. This is one sample calculation for the indigo colored wavelength for Mercury.