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Flame Tests Using Improvised Alcohol Burners
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Abstract
In this demonstration, an improvised alcohol burner, with a methanol solution of a salt as fuel, produces a long-lasting brightly colored flame. A disadvantage when using a regular alcohol burner is that the burner has to be cleaned and a wick replaced, before a solution of a different salt can be used. For our demonstration, alcohol burners are made from small (5-mL) glass vials. The vials are filled with a methanol solution of the desired salt and a paper wick is added. Thus, a small amount of solvent (5 mL or less) provides a colored flame, which lasts for several minutes. Vials and paper wicks can be reused. Use of the described alcohol burner in a flame test demonstration has several advantages. It is inexpensive, a number of tests can be run simultaneously, and stock solutions of metal salts can be prepared in advance and stored for future demonstrations.
Keywords (Audience):
High School / Introductory ChemistryKeywords (Domain):
DemonstrationsKeywords (Feature):
Tested DemonstrationsKeywords (Subject):
Atomic Properties / StructureCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 5 ACS Journal articles (5 most recent appear below).
“Magic Eraser” Flame Tests
Arthur M. Landis and Malonne I. Davies , Linda Landis , Nicholas C. ThomasJournal of Chemical Education2009 86 (5), 577“Magic Eraser” Flame Tests
Arthur M. Landis and Malonne I. Davies , Linda Landis , Nicholas C. ThomasJournal of Chemical Education2009 86 (5), 577Cleaning erasers are used to support methanol-fueled flame tests. This safe demonstration technique requires only small quantities of materials, provides clean colors for up to 45 seconds, and can be used in the classroom or the auditorium.
Inexpensive Alcohol Burners for Flame Tests Using Aluminum Tea Light Candle Holders
Tom Mortier , Annie Wellens and Marie-Josée JanssensJournal of Chemical Education2008 85 (4), 522Inexpensive Alcohol Burners for Flame Tests Using Aluminum Tea Light Candle Holders
Tom Mortier , Annie Wellens and Marie-Josée JanssensJournal of Chemical Education2008 85 (4), 522This article describes an alternative to traditional methanol-based flame tests; this alternative may be a safer demonstration.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Raven and the Ambassador's Wife: An Inquiry-Based Murder Mystery
Nathaniel Grove and Stacey Lowery BretzJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (10), 1532Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Raven and the Ambassador's Wife: An Inquiry-Based Murder Mystery
Nathaniel Grove and Stacey Lowery BretzJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (10), 1532Inquiry-based experiments require students to take an active role in the learning process by having them develop their own procedures and data tables. This shift in responsibility requires students to think for themselves and show what they have truly ...
Simple Flame Test Techniques Using Cotton Swabs
Michael J. Sanger and Amy J. Phelps , Catherine BanksJournal of Chemical Education2004 81 (7), 969Simple Flame Test Techniques Using Cotton Swabs
Michael J. Sanger and Amy J. Phelps , Catherine BanksJournal of Chemical Education2004 81 (7), 969This article describes three new methods for performing simple flame tests using cotton swabs. The first method uses a Bunsen burner and solid metal salts; the second method uses a Bunsen burner and 1 M aqueous solutions of metal salts; and the third ...
A dramatic flame test demonstration
Kristin A. Johnson and Rodney SchreinerJournal of Chemical Education2001 78 (5), 640A dramatic flame test demonstration
Kristin A. Johnson and Rodney SchreinerJournal of Chemical Education2001 78 (5), 640<p>A dramatic ball of colored fire appears when a salt/methanol mixture is sprayed into the flame of a Meker burner. The colored fireball is highly visible, even in large lecture halls. Although the fireball has a short duration, it can easily be ...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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