Flame test

[4][1] The Bunsen burner, combined with a prism (filtering the color interference of contaminants), led to the creation of the spectroscope, capable of emitting the spectral emission of various elements.

[4][1] Today, this low-cost method is used in secondary education to teach students to detect metals in samples qualitatively.

[4] The compound can be made into a paste with concentrated hydrochloric acid, as metal halides, being volatile, give better results.

The use of a cotton swab or melamine foam (used in “eraser” cleaning sponges) as a support has also been suggested.

[7][8][6] Sodium is a common component or contaminant in many samples,[2] and its spectrum tends to dominate many flame tests others.

Gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and a number of other elements do not produce a characteristic flame color, although some may produce sparks (as do metallic titanium and iron); salts of beryllium and gold reportedly deposit pure metal on cooling.

The flame test carried out on a copper halide . The characteristic bluish-green color of the flame is due to the copper.
A flame test showing the presence of lithium .
Flame test of a few metal ions
Electron excitation
Coloured flames of methanol solutions of different compounds, burning on cotton wool. From left to right: lithium chloride , strontium chloride , calcium chloride , sodium chloride , barium chloride , trimethyl borate , copper chloride , cesium chloride and potassium chloride .