Demonstrations

Spectral Lines/Spectroscopy - Flame Salts

Code Number :	7B11.17
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Spectra of Various Gases, Spectral Lines of Elements
Area of Study :	Optics, Astronomy
Equipment :	Watch glass, Methanol, Grill Lighter, Bunsen Burner - Mesh Screen Optional, Platinum Bead Wire, Spectroscopy Chemicals (Chloride Salts of Barium, Boron, Calcium, Lithium, Potassium, Sodium, and Strontium), Handheld Spectroscopes.
Procedure :	The best method is to pour a small amount of the desired salt onto a watch glass and wet with methanol. Light the methanol with the grill lighter and when the excess methanol has burned off and intense color should be produces that is indicative of the salt used. View the emission lines with a hand held spectra scope or small grating. An alternative of this is to fit the small screens onto the Bunsen burner and then to pour a small amount of the desired chemical directly onto this screen. Heat the platinum wire in the Bunsen burner flame. Dip the wire into the desired chemical. Some of the chemical will be melted onto the wire. Hold this in the Bunsen burner flame and observe the different colors and intensities for the different chemicals.

References

Kenneth Brecher, "Do Atoms Really "Emit" Absorption Lines?" TPT, Vol. 29, # 7, p. 454 (Oct 1991).

Eugene Decker, Alan Cromer, "Flame Spectra", TPT, Vol. 21, # 5, May 1983, p. 324.

H. L. Armstrong, "Producing Flame Spectra", TPT, Vol. 10, # 9, Dec. 1972, p. 529.

Tik Liem, "Color the Flame," Investigation to Science Inquiry, pp. 157.

"Flame Tests," Chemistry, p. 27.

John Mocko, "Spectroscopy with Balloons," PIRA News, Vol. 9 No 4.

Ron Hipschman, "Iron Sparks," Exploratorium Cookbook III, pp. 176.1 - 176.4.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille