Flame Test

Purpose: To demonstrate and classify the characteristics of a chemical reaction.

Objective: Describe the difference between a physical and chemical change.

Chemical compounds	Elements involved	Characteristics
Barium Chloride	BaCl	Green
Calcium Chloride	CaCl	Orange
Lithium Chloride	LiCl	Purple-red
Potassium Chloride	KCl	Purple
Sodium Chloride	NaCl	Bright yellow
Strontium Chloride	StCl	Red
Aluminum foil	Al	When struck with stone it emits sparks. Its temperature goes up. They add bits of aluminum foil to fireworks.
Mystery elements

1.) What indicators (at least 3) determine that a chemical change (or reaction) has occurred? 
There was a change in color.
Energy is absorbed or given off in a reaction. 
There is a change in odor.
A liquid produces a gas or a solid. 
Chemical changes are irreversible and new substances are made. 


2.) What is emitted when a chemical change takes place in the flame test? What is emitted in the flame test is the energy of electrons. Each have a different wave length creating a different color.


3.) What group, from the periodic table, do these elements exist? They each exist in two different groups. Alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.


4.) Do any two elements give the same spectrum of color? Explain why? No element gives off the same color of light. Each element's electrons respond differently to heat.


5.) Recall what a catalyst is in a chemical reaction.  What was the catalyst in these reactions? A catalyst is something that increases the rate of a chemical reaction or allows it to occur. In the flame test, heat was the catalyst.

How the flame test can be used in a crime scene.

Forensic scientist can use this method to separate and identify the elements in the substance. This will allow the scientist to narrow the possibilities of what the criminal was trying to hide or erase. You can also use this to see what the criminal used to commit the crime. If you used arsenic to kill the victim it would give off its color, blue. Not only does the element give off light when heated, but also an odor. Arsenic has a garlic like smell to it. This method will not give you the results you need. Scientist have other ways to identify elements. but it is a good way.