A flame test can be used to identify the cation present in an ionic compound.
To conduct a flame test:
- Dip a wire loop with some of the solid ionic compound.
- Lit a bunsen burner.
- Place the wire loop containing the ionic compound into the edge of the flame of the bunsen burner.
- Observe the colour of the flames.
Watch the video below for the steps involved in flame test.
Colour of Flame for Flame Test
Ion Present | Colour of Flame (in flame test) |
lithium, Li⁺ | Red |
sodium, Na⁺ | Yellow |
potassium, K⁺ | Lilac |
calcium, Ca²⁺ | Orange-red |
barium, Ba²⁺ | Light Green |
copper (II) , Cu²⁺ | Blue – Green |
Watch this video where they show the flame test conducts for ionic compounds containing ions such as lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, barium and copper (II):