This deep dive covers Equipment and Method within Flame Tests for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Flame Tests in Chemical Analysis for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 4 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 4 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
🧪 Equipment and Method
Equipment Needed
- Bunsen burner — provides the heat energy
- Nichrome wire loop — holds the sample (nichrome is unreactive and melts at very high temperature)
- Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) — cleans the wire between tests
- Sample of metal compound — the substance to be identified
- Safety goggles — essential eye protection
Step-by-Step Method
- Dip the nichrome wire loop in dilute HCl
- Hold in the blue Bunsen flame until no colour is seen (wire is clean)
- Dip the clean wire in HCl again, then into the sample
- Hold the wire with sample in the blue Bunsen flame
- Observe and record the flame colour immediately
- Clean the wire thoroughly before testing the next sample
Important: Use the blue flame (fully open air hole) — it is the hottest part of the Bunsen flame and gives the clearest results.