1. Dip a clean flame test loop in the sample solution
2. Hold the flame test loop at the edge of a Bunsen burner flame
3. Observe the changed colour of the flame, and decide which metal it indicates
4. Clean the loop in acid and rinse with water, then repeat steps 1 to 3 with a new sample
Common flame tests
Barium
Pale green flame
Calcium
Red
Copper
Green/Blue
Lithium
Brick red flame
Sodium
Yellow/Orange
Potassium
Lilac
Flame tests are useful
for confirming the results
of a precipitate test
To identify an alkali metal, a flame test must be
used instead of a sodium hydroxide precipitate
test. This is because the alkali metals do not
form precipitates with sodium hydroxide.