Flame Tests and Atomic Spectra

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Solution Dominant Flame Color Wavelength (nm) Flame Intensity (low, medium, high) Flame Duration (seconds) BaCl2   Yellow   587nm   low   0.80 CaCl2   red-orange   622nm   medium   0.95 CuCl2   Green-blue   492nm   high   1.41 KCl Violet 423nm low 0.75 LiCl Red 701nm high 1.10 NaCl Orange-yellow 597nm high 13.75     Part A: Flame Tests of Metal Cations Experimental Data and Observations

Part B: Line Emission Spectra Experimental Data and Observations

In the boxes provided, draw the spectral lines for the indicated elements. Indicate names colors below each line drawn.

Line Emission Spectrum for Helium

colors: nm:

Line Emission Spectrum for Mercury

colors: nm:

Line Emission Spectrum for Hyrdrogen

colors: nm:

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Data Analysis

Using the wavelengths recorded on page 1, calculate the corresponding wavelengths, frequencies and photon energies for each compound tested. Record the values, in scientific notation, in the table below.

SolutionWavelength (m)Frequency (s-1)Energy (J)
BaCl2   
CaCl2   
CuCl2   
KCl   
LiCl   
NaCl   

Show a set of sample calculations for NaCl only below. Clearly show any equations you have used.

  • Wavelength (in m):
  • Frequency (in s-1):
  • Energy (in J):

Questions

  1. Complete the following paragraph by circling the correct responses:

In this experiment, the metal cations in the solutions were initially in the (ground, excited) state. When placed in the flame, the metals then (absorbed, emitted) energy as (electricity, heat, EM radiation). When this occurred, electrons made transitions from (low, high) energy levels to (low,

high) energy levels. The metals were then in the (ground, excited) state. The electrons in these metals then made transitions from (low, high) energy levels to (low, high) energy levels, resulting in the (absorption, emission) of energy as (electricity, heat, EM radiation).

  • What evidence is there that the colors observed in the flame tests are due to the metals, and not the nonmetals in the compounds tested?

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  • Which metal cation was observed to emit radiation with the longest wavelength?

Compared to the other metals studied, did the radiation emitted by this metal cation have • the highest or lowest frequency?

  • the highest or lowest energy?
  • You observed the spectral lines for different elements. What is happening within an atom that causes it to emit light in specific lines in a spectrum?
  • Why did the different elements have different line emission spectra?
  • The radio station JACK FM broadcasts at a frequency of 93.5 kHz. Calculate its wavelength (λ) in nanometers. (Hz = 1/s)
  • For the same radio station, calculate the energy (E) in kilojoules, kJ.

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