Describe how you could carry out a flame test to confirm the presence of sodium in a sample of a salt. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 9(a) - 2022
Question 9(a)
Describe how you could carry out a flame test to confirm the presence of sodium in a sample of a salt.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe how you could carry out a flame test to confirm the presence of sodium in a sample of a salt. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 9(a) - 2022
Step 1
Clean a platinum (nichrome) wire
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Answer
Begin by cleaning a platinum (nichrome) wire with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to remove any impurities that might affect the test results. This step ensures that the subsequent flame test is accurate.
Step 2
Dip the wire in the salt sample
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Next, dip the cleaned wire into the salt sample you wish to test. Make sure to obtain a small amount of the salt on the wire for the flame test.
Step 3
Hold the wire in the flame
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Hold the wire in the outer part of a Bunsen burner flame. This is typically the blue part of the flame, which provides a hotter temperature for the test.
Step 4
Observe the flame color
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Answer
As the wire heats up, observe the color of the flame. If sodium is present, the flame will turn bright yellow or amber. This specific color indicates the confirmation of sodium in the sample.
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