Flame color for selected chemical elements table
Table shows flame colors specific to given chemical elements such as yellow-orange for sodium (Na), red-cherry for lithium (Li) etc.

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Flame test

 Element symbol Element name Flame color (name) Flame color (preview) Li lithium red-cherry Na sodium yellow-orange K potassium mauve Rb rubidium pink-red Cs cesium blue-red Ca calcium brick-red Sr strontium crimson Ba barium green-yellow Ra radium carmine-red Ga gallium blue In indium indigo Tl tallium pale green B boron yellow-green Cu copper cyan

Some facts

• The compounds of some metals evaporate after introducing them to the flame causing the change of its color (i.e. color of flame).
• Atoms during contact with the flame are excited (they absorb energy) and next, they emit the quantum of light during the return to the previous state (relaxation).
• The color of a flame is specific to a given element, because it is result of atomic properties.
• The wavelength of the emitted light results directly from the difference in energy levels. These levels are specific for a given element.
• The relationship between wavelength and transition energy (differing between energy levels) is as follows:
$\lambda = \dfrac{hc}{\Delta E}$
where:
• $\lambda$ - wavelength of emmited light,
• h - Planck's constant,
• c - speed of light,
• $\Delta E$ - difference between energy levels (energy absorbed during excitation and emitted during relaxation).
• Because the color of a flame is specific for a given element, it allows a qualitative analysis, i.e. the identification of whether a given element is in the sample or not (but without specifying the quantity).
• ⓘ Example: When we disperse a pinch of table salt (NaCl) over the gas stove burner, we notice that when the salt meets the flame, it changes color to yellow. This is due to the presence of sodium atoms.

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