Flame test. Wire held in bunsen burner flame showing the red colouration indicative of lithium. The wire is made from nichrome, an alloy which does no

---

Flame test. Wire held in bunsen burner flame showing the red colouration indicative of lithium. The wire is made from nichrome, an alloy which does not colour a flame. It was cleaned and moistened with hydrochloric acid, and then dipped in a solid compound and held in a flame. The red colour produced indicates the presence of lithium, a metal, in the compound. The test works because the metal becomes excited due to the heat, and then loses energy as a visible colouration of the flame. All metals have a different flame spectrum, and the test is valuable as it is quick and easy to perform.

---

Size: 3780px × 5010px
Photo credit: © DAVID TAYLOR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bunsen, burner, chemical, chemistry, combustion, flame, lithium, nichrome, test, wire