Flame tests

Many metal atoms give off a distinct colour when heated. This colour can be used to identify the atom in a solution or a powder. Below are a set of elements flame tested at the Melbourne Forensic Laboratories.

 
Copper gives a distinct green colour. Click to see a 120 kb movie of the flame test
Lithium give a brilliant red colour. Click to see a 120kb movie of the flame test.
Potassium give alilac colour
Sodium give an orange-yellow flame.

Residents from a rural community complained that the water tasted bad and many were hospitalised with headaches and severe stomach cramps. A sample of the water was tested at the laboratories and the results shown on the right.

What does the flame test of the sample reveal?
Many residents blamed one of two power plants for the contaminated water.

The sample show more than one metal present.
Solve the contamination problem.

Home