A flame test is a method in chemistry to find certain metal ions in a solution. Each type of metal ion produces a different colored flame (it also depends on the temperature of the fire). Elements are heated in a Bunsen burner to produce flame. The metal ions become excited by the heat, this causes them to turn into atoms. They then produce visible light. After the Experiment:
Emika and I did the flame test with nine different elements/compounds. We used about a teaspoon of every compound. Then we lit the gas Bunsen burner. We used a metal holder to put the element directly into the fire. They produced flames ranging from magenta to green to orange. Most were partially or completely green. This may because of chloride content. The compounds that produced a green flare were calcium chloride, copper chloride, iron filings, and potassium chloride. Three of the four have chlorine, a common pool cleaning agent, characterized by its greenish color. However, lithium chloride made magenta-orange flames when burned. Borax made orange flames and so did sodium carbonate. Borax is also known as sodium borate. Maybe the sodium in borax and sodium carbonate produces the orange flames.
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