Friday, August 5, 2011

Lesson 3 and 4

Lesson 3 was spent on reading up on rambio about the various colours emmitted when ceratin metals are heated over the flame. This technique is known as flame test.

Today (lesson 4), we carried out a chromatography experiment, as well as a very fun hands-on flame test! First, we had to identify forgery in a cheque using chromatography. The first step was to cut up the written numbers, and then soak them in (a bit of) ethanol. Next, a few drops of the different ink solutions were dripped onto separate chromatography strips, which were then dipped in water. Pictures below to illustrate the experiment. 

Cutting up the cheque
Ethanol used
Soaking the paper with ink in ethanol
The chromatography set-up
Chromatography strips at end of experiment

Second is the flame test! Below are the really cool pictures of the flames when the different metals were held over them. 

Potassium nitrate
Barium nitrate

Calcium chloride

Sodium nitrate
Copper (II) nitrate
Magnesium

Lead (II) nitrate

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