smc-3682-20-Flame Tests

CHEMISTRY, M8 2024 HSC 8 MC

Which pair of ions produce different colours in a flame test?

\(\ce{Br^{-} and Cl^{-}}\)
\(\ce{Ag^{+} and OH^{-}}\)
\(\ce{Cu^{2+} and Ca^{2+}}\)
\(\ce{CH_3OOO^{-} and H_2 PO_4^{-}}\)

Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

Only metal cations produce unique colours during a flame test due to their electron configurations.
As the electrons ‘fall back’ down into their shells from an excited state, they emit a specific light wave (colour).

\(\Rightarrow C\)

CHEMISTRY, M8 2016 HSC 13 MC

The flow chart shows the steps used to identify a sample of a substance.

If the substance is sodium sulfate, what should have been observed in Tests 1,2 and 3 ?

	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3
A.	Bright orange flame	No bubbles	White precipitate formed
B.	Bright orange flame	Bubbles	No precipitate formed
C.	Blue-green flame	No bubbles	No precipitate formed
D.	Blue-green flame	Bubbles	White precipitate formed

Show Answers Only

`A`

Show Worked Solution

By Elimination:

Sodium produces a bright yellow-orange colour in a flame test (eliminate C and D)
No gas is produced when sulphate reacts with acid (eliminate B)

`=>A`

CHEMISTRY, M8 2015 HSC 3 MC

What flame colour do copper ions produce when heated?

Brick red
Blue-green
Pale purple
Yellow-orange

Show Answers Only

`B`

Show Worked Solution

Copper ions produce a blue-green flame colour.

`=>B`

CHEMISTRY, M8 2017 HSC 2 MC

Which row of the table correctly matches an ion with its flame colour during a flame test?

Show Answers Only

`D`

Show Worked Solution

Consider each option:

Barium ions produce blue-green (incorrect)
Calcium ions produce orange-red (incorrect)
Carbonate ions produce no colour (incorrect)
Copper ions produce blue-green (correct)

`=>D`

CHEMISTRY, M8 2020 HSC 22

A 0.1 mol L ¯¹ solution of an unknown salt is to be analysed. The cation is one of magnesium, calcium or barium. The anion is one of chloride, acetate or hydroxide.

Outline a sequence of tests that could be performed in a school laboratory to confirm the identity of this salt solution. Include expected observations and a balanced chemical equation in your answer. (5 marks)

--- 8 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---

Show Answers Only

Cation:

The cation can be identified via a flame test.
A pale green flame indicates barium, a brick red flame indicates calcium, and no flame colour observed indicates magnesium.

Anion:

To identify anion, add copper nitrate.
If a precipitate forms, it indicates the presence of hydroxide ions.
Next, add silver nitrate. If a white precipitate forms, this indicates chloride ions present. If no precipiate forms, it indicates acetate ions present.
\( \ce{Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq) -> AgCl(s)} \)

CHEMISTRY, M8 2022 HSC 5 MC

Which pair of ions can be distinguished using a flame test in the school laboratory?

`\text{Ag}^(+) and \text{Mg}^(2+)`
`\text{Ba}^(2+) and \text{Ca}^(2+)`
`\text{Br}^(-) and \text{Cl}^(-)`
`\text{Fe}^(2+) and \text{Fe}^(3+)`

Show Answers Only

`B`

Show Worked Solution

By elimination:

Silver and Magnesium do not emit visible wavelengths of light. (A is incorrect)}
The flame test only works on metals (C is incorrect)
Ions of the same element but different oxidation states cannot be distinguished using the flame test (D is incorrect)
In a flame test `text{Ba}^(2+)` has an apple-green flame colour whilst `text{Ca}^(2+)` has a brick-red flame colour, and thus can be distinguished. (B is correct)

`=> B`