I read in a textbook that it's possible to burn a banana and get the yellow flame that indicates potassium is present.
I thought it might make a good classroom presentation, but my banana doesn't burn!
2007-11-18 12:15:05 · 2 answers · asked by P D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Maybe you need to dry it out first; probably slice thinly and place in warm oven (I have never actually tried to cook bananas before so I'm not certian what will happen). Also,there might be other substances in bananas that might mask the yellow flame when you try to burn it.
2007-11-18 12:25:14 · answer #1 · answered by Flying Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'll need to extract the potassium in a liquid solution ( water will work) then aspirate it into a flame. The apparatus is called a flame photometer. Google it and see if one can be easily built.
2007-11-18 12:30:02 · answer #2 · answered by davidosterberg1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋