Chemical AnalysisComparison
Metal Ion Flame Colours: Full Reference Table
Part of Flame Tests — GCSE Chemistry
This comparison covers Metal Ion Flame Colours: Full Reference Table 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 6 of 13 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 6 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
⚖️ Metal Ion Flame Colours: Full Reference Table
| Metal Ion | Flame Colour | Memory Aid | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li⁺ | Crimson red | Luscious red | Very distinctive and easy to identify |
| Na⁺ | Orange-yellow | Sodium streetlights are yellow | Intense — common contaminant; can mask other colours |
| K⁺ | Lilac/purple | Potassium = Purple | Faint — use blue glass to filter sodium yellow |
| Ca²⁺ | Orange-red (brick red) | Calcium = cement/brick red | Between sodium and lithium colours |
| Cu²⁺ | Blue-green | Copper roofs go green | Distinctive; unmistakable blue-green |