Question

flame test can be used to detect the presence of metal ions in a solution. The color of the flame of each ion depends on the atomic spectrum of the element. When you observe a violet color from your flame test, which ion is likely present in the tested solution?

Answer 1

The presence of a violet color in a flame test likely indicates the presence of potassium ions (K+), as it is the characteristic color for potassium observed within the atomic emission spectra during such tests.

Step-by-step explanation:

The observation of a violet color in a flame test suggests the presence of alkali metals in the solution. The violet color in flame tests is typically associated with potassium ions (K+). While other alkali metals such as lithium produce a crimson color and sodium yields a bright yellow flame, potassium gives a pale violet or lilac flame. It's important to recognize that in the presence of sodium, which emits a strong yellow flame, it may be harder to detect other colors, so careful observation is required. The flame test is a simple analytical technique that relies on the atomic emission spectra of elements, which is unique for each element due to the arrangement of electrons within the atom. When electrons are excited by the flame's heat, they move to higher energy levels, and upon returning to their ground state, they emit light at specific wavelengths that correspond to the visible colors we observe in the flame.