I need help with this chemistry flame test lab discussion question.
"List the metals used in this lab in increasing order of the energy of the light emitted."
We tested BaCl2, CaCl2, CuCl2, FE(NO3)3, KCl, LiCl, NaCl, & Sr(No3)2.
I'm not completely sure how to know the energy of the light emitted. Please help!
I answered this question for you last night. Be explicit if you didn't understand it.
To determine the increasing order of the energy of the light emitted, you need to consider the concept of the electromagnetic spectrum and the relationship between wavelength and energy. The energy of light is inversely proportional to its wavelength, meaning that shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy levels.
For the flame test lab, each metal ion emits a characteristic color when exposed to a flame due to the energy transition of electrons. The color emitted is related to the wavelength of light produced, which can give you an indication of the energy level.
To determine the increasing order of energy, you can follow these steps:
1. Research the flame colors associated with the metal ions tested in your lab (Ba2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, K+, Li+, Na+, and Sr2+). This information can usually be found in a reference book or online resources.
2. Match the observed flame color of each metal ion in your experiment to its corresponding wavelength. Keep in mind that some flame colors may be similar, so distinguishing them might be challenging. However, if you have access to a spectroscope or a spectrophotometer, you can measure the wavelengths directly.
3. Compare the wavelengths obtained for each metal ion. Remember that shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy levels.
4. Arrange the metals in increasing order of the wavelengths obtained. The metal with the longest wavelength (lowest energy) should be at the top of the list, and the metal with the shortest wavelength (highest energy) should be at the bottom.
By following these steps, you should be able to list the metals used in your lab in increasing order of the energy of the light emitted.