DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY - DASMARIAS

College of Science
PHYSICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Dasmarias City, Cavite

Determination of Densities
Group 3 - ECE 12
Paul Anthony S. Dela Cruz
Gwenn G. Dela Victoria
Christian Dane A. Esteva
Nicolo Martin M. Eugenio
Neil Aaron M. Gayetta
ABSTRACT
On this experiment the group would find the changes of chemical properties in metal, due to the
metal being attracted into different reagents, through the analysis of their flame colors. First the
materials needed on this experiment are Nichrome wire (nickel-chromium wire), Alcohol lamp, Watch
glass, medicine dropper, Stirring rod, Porcelain spatula, and lastly the reagents. By doing this
experiment, the main procedure of it will attract the reagents on the metal of the Nichrome wire. By
first cleansing the wire with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) then heating it using the alcohol
lamp it remove the impurities. Next by placing the Nichrome wire in the blue section of the flame the
group could observe the change of the flame color of the metal. On the first reagent CaCl2 the
metal, Nichrome wire, reacted to the solution forming an orange colored flame. Then on the 2 nd
reagent CuCl2 the metal reacted to the solution forming a green flame. On the 3 rd reagent NaCl
the metal reacted to the solution forming a yellow flame. On the 4 th reagent LiCl it formed a red
flame. And the final reagent KCl formed a violet flame. Lastly the group calculated for the v(HZ)
and (nm); the (nm) of the reagents are: CaCl 2 (600), CuCl2 (525), NaCl (570), LiCl (710), and lastly
KCl (415). For v(HZ) the of the following reagents: CaCl2 had 5x1014, for CuCl2 it had 5.72x1014, for
NaCl it had 5.26x1014, for LiCl it had 4.22x1014, and lastly for KCl it had 7.22x1014.
INTRODUCTION
An atom is the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element. It
consists of a nucleus which contains combinations of neutrons and protons. One or more electrons bound to the
nucleus of protons determines the identity of the element. When an atom absorbs energy from a flame or electric
discharge, it absorbs just enough energy to excite its electrons from a lower energy state to a higher energy state.
Alternatively, when the atom from an excited state returns to a lower energy state, it emits the energy previously
absorbed in the form of light. In this experiment the main goal is to determine what color the flame emitted when
attracted to a reagent.(2)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
First, the nichrome wire was dipped in about 5-7ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Then we heated it in
the hottest region in the flame until there was no visible color. We then dipped the wire into a CaCl 2 Solution
containing 3-4 drops of water. The solution was then contained in a watch glass. Then the wire was then heated
to the hottest region of the flame. The flame color was then observed and recorded. The wire was then sterilized
using the cleaning process. After which the same process was done with the following salt solutions: CuCl 2, NaCl,
LiCl, and KCl.(1)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

After calculating the energy emitted, or light is equal to the energy difference between the two energy
states and is inversely proportional to its wavelength, the equation and outline are seen in the table 2.0. The
wavelength of different salt solutions and the frequency of light are: CaCl2 is 600- 5x1014 , CuCl2 is
525 - 5.72x1014, NaCl is 570- 5.16x1014, LiCl 710 - 4.22x1014and KCl 415 - 7.22x1014. This energy corresponds to
particular wavelengths of light, and so produces particular colors of light.(3)

Salt Solution

Flame Color

(nm)

v(Hz)

E(J)

CaCl2

Orange

600

5 x 1014

3.315 x 10-19

CuCl2

Green

525

5.72 x 1014

3.79 x 10-19

NaCl

Yellow

570

5.16 x 1014

3.49 x 10-19

LiCl

Red

710

4.22 x 1014

2.80 x 10-19

KCl

Violet

415

7.22 x 1014

4.79 x 10-19

5 compounds were observed: CaCl2,CuCl2,NaCl,LiCl,KCl

The orange, yellow, and red colors in a flame do not relate to color temperature alone. Gas excitations
also plays a major role in flame color. One of the major constituents in a burning flame, soot, has a complex and
diverse composition of carbon compounds. The variety of these compounds creates a practically continuous
range of possible quantum states to which electrons can be excited. The color of light emitted depends on the
energy emitted by each electron returning to its original state.(4)
Within the flame, regions of particles with similar energy transitions will create a seemingly continuous
band of color. For example, the red region of the flame contains a high proportion of particles with a difference in
quantum state energies that corresponds to the red range of the visible light spectrum.(5)
REFERENCES
(1) Figueroa, L. and Samonte.J. Laboratory Manual in General Chemistry. 3 rd Edition. 2010. C&E Publishing.
Philippines.
(2) General Chemistry Online The Quantum theory from http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/quantum/
(3) AUS-e-TUTE. Flame Test. Chemistry from http://www.ausetute.com.au/flametest.html
(4) Causes of Color What causes colors in flames? from http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/3BA.html
(5) Kent Chemistry Wavelength (l), Frequency (n) and Energy
http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/AtomicStructure/waveequations.htm

Calculations

(E)

2015-2016from

--------------------------------------------------------------End of Scientific Paper----------------------------------------------------------

Prepared by:

Paul Anthony S. Dela Cruz

Gwenn G. Dela Victoria

Abstract
BS Electronics Engineering

Results and Discussion and Abstract

BS Electronics Engineering

Christian Dane A. Esteva

Introduction
BS Electronics Engineering

Nicolo Martin M. Eugenio

Materials and Methods
BS Electronics Engineering
Neil Aaron M. Gayetta
Results and Discussion
Editor- In - Chief
BS Electronics Engineering

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