Title – Identifying Compounds by Fire

By – Patrick Clark

Primary Subject – Science

Grade Level – 9-12

Flame Test

Materials:

Several Crystallized Compounds

1 Bunsen burner

Jumbo Paper Clips

Cold Water Source

1.) Gather some known compounds such as magnesium, lead nitrate, copper nitrate, etc.

2.) Crystallize your compounds.

3.) Obtain a pack of Jumbo Paper clips. Unfold your clips and place them on the table.

4.) Light the Bunsen burner and adjust the flame so that only the blue flame is showing.

5.) Wet the first paper clip and obtain some crystals. Stick in the flame and observe the color change of the flame.

6.) Obtain a new clip and a new compound. Then repeat step 5 until you have tested for all elements.

The following elements usually yield colors similar to this:

Students would write their observations in lab report specified to your liking.