Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction:
When atoms of elements are heated or subjected to a current of electricity, they give off
visible colored light. For example, the familiar red glow of a neon sign is caused by neon atoms
excited by electricity. Fireworks displays of purple, red, green, and yellow are the result of excited
metal atoms. In fact, the color given off by each atom is so exact that it can be used to identify
that atom. This experiment will consist of two parts and will introduce you to the colors of atoms.
Procedure:
1. Light the propane burner with a striker.
2. Dip one end of a Q-tip in the beaker of salt solutionjust until damp!
3. Hold the tip in the flame of the burner. Record the color. (Observe color before Q-tip begins to
burn!)
4. Repeat with each salt. The salts available are lithium chloride (LiCl), barium chloride (BaCl2),
sodium chloride (NaCl), strontium chloride (SrCl2), calcium chloride (CaCl2), cesium chloride
(CsCl), copper (II) chloride (CuCl2) and potassium chloride (KCl).
NOTE: the glowing of these metal atoms are not chemical reactions. The electrons in each atom
are excited to a higher energy level by the heat. When these electrons fall back to their original
level, they emit the same energy in the form of light instead of heat. You give the electrons heat
so that they can jump up, and they give you colorful light when they fall back.
BaCl2
NaCl
SrCl2
CaCl2
CsCl
CuCl2
KCl
unknown
Observations (Part II): List each element and color in its line spectrum (vertically).