Flame Test

• Metals change the colour of a flame 
• Flame tests can identify the type and presence of a particular metel in a sample
• However, when there is more than one element in a metal, this technique is no longer suitable. This is shown in Fig. 7

Calcium - Red-Orange 

Copper - Green 

Lead - White/Blue

Potassium - Lilac/Pink

Sodium - Intense Yellow 

Fig.1 Original Colour of Flame

Fig.2 Calcium - Red-Orange

Fig. 2 Copper - Blue-Green

Fig.4 Pottasium - Lilac/Pink

Fig.5 Lead - White/Blue

Fig.6 Sodium - Intense Yellow

Fig. 7 Contaminated Calcium

Fig.7 Shows us that if there are more than one trace metals in a sample, this test is no longer suitable. The calcium has been contaminated by Copper, thus the flame turning blue-green instead of orange-red.