Determining the energy levels of cations using the flame test

Jasper Madalipay, Shara Mae Javellana, Alexandria Vargas, Don Morris Niko Poquiz

Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Abstract
This experiment dealt with the process involved in determining the energy level of water and certain cations which is the flame test. It focused on the flame test since this is the easiest and most reliable way of determining the energy levels of certain cations. In determining the energy levels of water and cations, 12 pieces of filter paper about 5 cm by 5 cm were cut out and were folded. The first test was the blank test. Here, using a test tube holder, the filter paper was dipped in distilled water and was thrust into the yellow flame of a Bunsen burner flame. This was done in two trials. The color of the flame produced was recorded. The second test was the cation tests. Here about 1-3 ml of 1 M BaCl2, 1 M CaCl2, 1 M CuCl2, 1 M KCl and 1 M NaCl were transferred into test tubes. Here, same procedure was done as in the blank. Based on the results, it was found out that the blank test or the water sample produced orange flame. While for the cation tests, the Cu2+ produced green flame, Ca2+ red orange, Na+ yellow orange, Ba2+ yellow and K+ purple or violet. From these data, the Ca2+ has the lowest energy while the K+ has the highest energy.

Introduction The flame test is used to visually determine the energy level of a metal or metalloid ion based on the characteristic color the salt turns the flame of a Bunsen burner. The heat of the flame converts the metal ions into atoms which become excited and emit visible light. The corresponding color of the flame produced by an element corresponds also to its energy level.

This experiment dealt primarily with the process involved in determining the energy level of water and certain cations which is the flame test. There are lots of procedures that can be used in determining the energy level of a certain element but this experiment focused on the flame test since this is the easiest and most reliable way of determining the energy levels of elements. Basically, the objective of this experiment is to determine the energy levels of water and certain cations through the flame test. Another purpose is to determine which among these cations has the lowest and highest energy level. Methodology In determining the energy levels of water and cations, 12 pieces of filter paper about 5 cm by 5 cm were cut out and were folded. The first test was the blank test. Here, using a test tube holder, the filter paper was dipped in distilled water and was thrust into the yellow flame of a Bunsen burner flame. This was done in two trials. The color of the flame produced was recorded. The second test was the cation tests. Here about 1-3 ml of 1 M BaCl2, 1 M CaCl2, 1 M CuCl2, 1 M KCl and 1 M NaCl were transferred into test tubes. Here, using again a test tube holder, a filter paper was dipped in the BaCl2 and was thrust into the yellow flame of the Bunsen flame. This was also done in two trials. The same procedure was done for the remaining test solutions. The colors produced by each test solution were recorded.

Results and Discussion In determining the energy levels of certain cations, the only data that were obtained were the color of flame produced by each test sample in the flame test. These data are the lone data and the most important in determining the energy levels of the given cations. Table 1.1 shows the obtained data in the experiment. Sample Water (blank) Cu2+ Ca2+ Na+ Ba2+ K+ Color of flame Orange Green Red Orange Yellow Orange Yellow Purple / Violet Arrangement in increasing energy 1) Ca2+ (red orange) 2) Water (orange) 3) Na+ (yellow orange) 4) Ba2+ (yellow) 5) Cu2+ (green) 6) K+ (purple / violet)

Table1.1 The test solutions and the corresponding color of the flame obtained. Also included is their arrangement in increasing energy.

This experiment has determined the energy levels of water and certain cations. From table 1.1, the water which was used in the blank test produced an orange color. On the other hand, the first cation sample which was the copper, a 1B element produced a green flame. The calcium ion which is in 2A produced a red orange flame. The sodium ion which belongs to 1A produced a yellow orange color. Next, the barium which belongs to 2A produced a yellow flame. Lastly, the potassium ion which is in 1A produced a purple or violet color of flame.

Figure 1.1 The visible light region of an electromagnetic spectrum.

Figure 1.1 shows the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the color red or the infrared light has the lowest energy since it has the longest wavelength. On the other hand, the color violet or the ultra violet light has the highest energy since it has the shortest wavelength.

Wavelength Range (nanometers) 340-400 400-430 430-500 500-570 570-620 620-670 670-750 Over 750

Perceived Color Near Ultraviolet (UV; Invisible) Violet Blue Green Yellow to Orange Bright Red Dark Red Near Infrared (IR; Invisible)

Table 1.2 Visible Light Wavelength and Perceived Color Table 1.2 shows the wavelength range in nanometers of the visible light and the perceived color corresponding to the wavelength. As in figure 1.1, this table also shows that a red color or infrared light has the longest wavelength so it has the lowest

energy. And again, violet color or the ultra violet light which has the shortest wavelength has the highest energy. From table 1.1 also, the calcium ion has the lowest energy since it produced a red orange light which is the weakest color in the visible light region of an electromagnetic spectrum. The water has greater energy than the calcium ion since it produced an orange color. Next to water is the sodium ion which has produced a yellow orange color. Higher than these three is the barium ion which produced a yellow flame. The copper ion is more energetic than the above mentioned because it produced a green flame which ranges from 500-570 nm based on table 1.2. The most energetic among the test samples is the potassium ion because it produced a violet flame which, from table 1.2, has a wavelength ranging from 340-400 nm which is the most penetrating. From the data obtained and discussed above, it can be concluded that among the test samples, the calcium ion is the least energetic since it produced a red flame while the potassium ion is the most energetic because it produced a violet flame. Reference Vallejo, Vilma L. General Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Manual and Teachers Guide. 2006. Department of Physical Science, UP Baguio, Baguio City. Young, Hugh and Freedman, Roger. University Physics with Modern Physics (12th ed.). 2008. Pearson Education South Asia Pte. Ltd. Singapore