1. Ground state is when the electrons are in the lowest energy levels available. Excited state is when atoms absorb energy and "jump" to a higher energy level.
2. In this case, emit means the discharge of energy when the atom transitions back from its excited state to the grounded state.
3. The atoms are getting their excess energy from the heat.
4. Atoms emit light at different wavelengths. These different wavelengths represent different colors. Also, different atoms have different numbers of levels and electrons.
5. It is necessary to clean the nichrome wires between each flame test because the chemicals from the prior test can affect your results by altering the actual color of the chemicals under the flame test.
Summary
In this lab we had popsicle sticks dipped into different chemicals and solids. Then, we put the popsicle stick over the flame and the flame changed color. We recorded this change of color next to the chemical name. Overall, I believe the purpose of the lab was to show how the different elements' excited atoms emit their varying energies. I also believe that this lab emphasized that different colors are unique to one substance as shown by the identifying the unknown substances exercise part of the lab.
Flame Tests
LiCl- Red/pink
NaCl- Orange
SrCl2- Red/orange
CuCl2- Blue/green (cyan)
KCl- Violet
FeCl3- Sparks
CaCl2- Orange
ZnCl2- Orange
Unknowns
The first unknown was Lithium Chloride and the second unknown was Potassium Chloride. We know what the unknowns are because when atoms get heated, they get into an excited state. Then they emit different wavelengths which are converted into different colors of light. So, when we put the unknown substances under the flame test, they emitted the same colors as Lithium Chloride(red/pink) and Potassium Chloride(violet) which is how we knew what the unknown substances were.
This is a picture of the flame test for CuCl2
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