Aim:
My aim for the first experiment of the term is to investigate chemical energy.
Research:
Method:
Equipment
- Safety Glasses
- Heating Equipment
- Different types of metal salts
- Wire loop
- Nitric Acid
- Small Beaker
Instructions:
- Get equipment ready.
- Be safe.
- Set up the Bunsen burner.
- Make sure to clean your wire loop using the Nitric Acid.
- Dip the wire loop onto the salt of your choice.
- Put the salty wire into the blue flame of Bunsen burner.
- Observe what is happening to your fire.
- Repeat the instructions using different salts, but before you dip your wire loop into another salt, make sure you clean it using the Nitric Acid.
Results –
Types of chemicals used and their colors:
Copper II Chloride – Green
Strontium Chloride – Red
Copper II Sulfate – Orange (a more pigmented one)
Sodium Chloride – Yellow
Potassium Chloride – Lilac or pale violet
Discussion –
What causes the metal salt to perform color on flame?
Flame colors are created by the movements of the electrons in the metal ions. When the electrons relax to its ground state they give off energy which is perceived as light of a particular color.
How does chemical energy work and what is it?
Chemical energy, this is an energy which is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds. Chemical energy is released when a chemical reaction occurs.