The flame test experiment was the most extensive activity for me because not only did I do the experiment, but I also presented the experiment at exhibition night and also wrote a science manuscript about it. The actual flame test experiment was designed to show how the different electron configurations in different elements lead to different colored flames when you excite these elements. We can then use these properties to identify elements in unknown compounds.

 

To complete this experiment, we soaked different compounds into wooden sticks, and then placed these sticks in the outside edge of a flame from a Bunsen burner, and the flame changed colors depending on what element was placed into it. By comparing the colored flames produced by known samples of each compound to the flame colors of unknown compounds, we identified what each unknown element was.

 

For exhibition night, I worked with a classmate to conduct a series of demonstrations using a larger example of the original experiment. We placed samples of compounds on watch glasses and added a small amount of methanol to each glass. We then ignited each dish and allowed the compounds to be excited by the flame, producing the different colors while explaining what was happening on the atomic level. For the science manuscript, I worked with the same classmate as I did for exhibition night to write a report on our experiment and create a video form of this paper. This video and paper are attached below.

 

As a result of this experiment, my understanding of inquiry has grown a little broader. To be able to understand what was happening on an atomic level, we first had to complete an entire unit on electron configuration and the properties that these electrons cause an element to have. At first, I didn’t really understand how these electrons behaved and the first few classes discussing it only made me more confused, but after the unit lessons and a little bit of online research, I was able to understand this phenomenon enough to be able to present it at exhibition night, and to be able to create a video explaining this experiment.