How do I know which is the metal and which is the nonmetal ion?
2006-11-06 11:27:48 · 5 answers · asked by . 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Flame tests show the color of the metal (the positive ion). The negative ion is usually nitrate (NO3) or sulfate (SO4) which are colorless.
2006-11-06 12:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by teachr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason that we would know that it's the metal is, for example, that sodium chloride and sodium sulfate (two chemically very different counter-ions) give the same yellow color. The only thing the two salts have in common is sodium, so that's what is imparting the color to the flame.
2016-05-22 05:29:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as i know the flame tests are only carried out for the metals. i don't think that it is possible to see a flame in non metals because they would be gases or liquids. so i would say that the flame colour test is for the metal ion.
2006-11-06 11:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by Vidushi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending of the specter of the collors
2006-11-06 11:29:43 · answer #4 · answered by AnSwERinho 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the color or wavelenght.
2006-11-06 11:33:01 · answer #5 · answered by n_hall_22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋