Flame test

A qualitative analytical test that identifies certain metal ions by the characteristic colors they emit when heated in a flame.

Atomic emission spectroscopy: An analytical technique that identifies substances by measuring light emitted from excited atoms or ions. The flame test is a simple, usually visual form of atomic emission analysis.
Sodium: A chemical element whose atoms produce an intense yellow emission when excited. Its bright yellow flame is a familiar positive result and can mask other colors.
Metal ion: A positively charged ion formed when a metal atom loses one or more electrons. The test detects emission associated with certain metal ions in a sample.
Atomic absorption spectroscopy: An analytical technique that measures how ground-state atoms absorb light at element-specific wavelengths. It identifies and quantifies elements through absorption rather than flame color emission.
Strontium: A chemical element that produces red emission when heated in a flame. Its red flame provides a comparison with lithium's crimson-red result.
Atomic emission spectrum: The discrete wavelengths of light emitted by excited atoms as their electrons change energy levels. Each observed flame color corresponds to emitted wavelengths in an element's spectrum.
Potassium: A chemical element that produces pale violet emission in a flame. Its weak violet color is difficult to see, especially in the presence of sodium.
Flame: A region of hot, reacting gases that emits light and heat during combustion. It supplies the energy that excites atoms in the test sample.
Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy: An elemental analysis technique that measures light emitted by atoms and ions in a high-temperature plasma. It resolves and quantifies many elements more sensitively than visual flame testing.
Barium: A chemical element that produces yellow-green emission in a flame. Its greenish color contrasts with the red and orange-red results of other common ions.

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