Flame Test: Red, Green, Blue, Violet?

Each group needs:

• calculator
• graduated cylinder
• 3 400-ml beakers
• 6 wooden splints
• 3 plastic spoons
• electronic balance
• 3 pieces of paper (to put on the balance for massing the chemicals)
• matches
• Bunsen burner
• masking tape and marker, to label beakers
• Flame Test Worksheet (PDF), one per student
• safety goggles, one per student
• lab coat, one per student
• pair of rubber gloves, one per student

To share with the entire class:

• 100 grams strontium chloride, such as http://www.sciencecompany.com/Strontium-Chloride-100g-P15973.aspx
• 100 grams copper II chloride, also known as cupric chloride, such as http://www.sciencecompany.com/Cupric-Chloride-100g-P6404.aspx
• 100 grams potassium chloride, such as http://www.sciencecompany.com/Potassium-Chloride-100g-P15972.aspx
• distilled water, 1 gallon (~4 liters)
• 400-ml beaker for the unknown solution
• masking tape and marker, to label beaker