This memory aid covers Memory Aid 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 9 of 13 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
Topic position
Section 9 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
🧠 Memory Aid
Learn the first letter of each metal and its colour:
"Little Naughty Kids Catch Cats, Bright Ones!"
Li = Red | Na = Yellow | K = Lilac | Ca = Orange-red | Cu = Green | Ba = Yellow-green
Or remember it as: "LiRed, NaYellow, KLilac, CaOrange-red, CuGreen, BaYellow-green"
For the method: "Dip, Heat, Dip, Sample, Flame" — always clean before and after.
Quick Check: A flame test on an unknown compound produces an orange-yellow colour. Name the metal ion present.
Sodium ion (Na⁺). The orange-yellow colour is the characteristic flame colour for sodium.