A technician uses the same nichrome wire to carry out flame tests on a reference solution containing sodium ions and on solution R.
The wire is not cleaned between the first and second tests. Before the third test, the wire is cleaned with dilute hydrochloric acid and heated until it gives no flame colour.
| Test | Solution tested | Flame colour observed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reference solution containing sodium ions | Yellow |
| 2 | R, before the wire is cleaned | Yellow |
| 3 | R, after the wire is cleaned | Lilac |
Explain why the flame colours observed for solution R were different in tests 2 and 3.
Name the metal ion in solution R.
93 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 8.3 Identification of ions by chemical and spectroscopic means, covering 8.3.1 Flame tests, 8.3.2 Metal hydroxides, 8.3.3 Carbonates, 8.3.4 Halides, 8.3.5 Sulfates, 8.3.6 Instrumental methods, and 8.3.7 Flame emission spectroscopy. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.