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GCSE Chemistry · key term
A test in which a sample is heated in a flame and the colour produced is used to help identify a metal ion.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.8.3.1 · Paper 2
A qualitative test in which a sample is heated in a flame and a characteristic flame colour may reveal the metal ion present.
Revise: Flame TestsA flame test is a qualitative test used to identify certain metal ions. Metal ions are positively charged ions, so they are also called cations. When a compound containing a suitable metal ion is placed in a flame, it can give the flame a distinctive colour.
Specification 9.2C · Paper 2
A laboratory test in which a sample is heated in a flame and the flame colour is used to identify certain metal ions.
Revise: Flame TestsA flame test is a qualitative test: it identifies a substance rather than measuring how much is present. It can be used to identify certain positive metal ions in solid ionic compounds. When a small amount of a compound is heated in a Bunsen flame, some metal ions produce a characteristic flame colour.
Specification C4.2c, C4.2e, PAG 2 · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A test that uses the colour produced when a substance is heated in a flame to help identify a metal ion.
Revise: Flame TestsA flame test helps identify a metal ion in a substance. When the sample is heated, it can give the flame a characteristic colour. That colour is an observable property that can help distinguish substances, including products of chemical reactions.
An analytical test in which a sample is heated and the colour of the flame is used to identify certain metal ions.
A test in which certain metal ions are identified from the characteristic colour produced when their compounds are heated in a flame.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A chemical test that uses the colour produced by a heated sample in a flame to help identify a metal ion.
Revise: Flame tests interpretationA flame test can help identify a metal ion in a compound such as a salt. When the sample is heated in a flame, it may produce a characteristic colour. Compare the colour you observe with known flame-test colours to suggest which metal ion is present.
Do not claim that a flame test can always identify every ion in a mixture: one flame colour may mask another.
A strong yellow sodium colour can mask other colours in a mixture, so a flame test may not identify every ion present.
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