A laboratory technician tests solution P using a nichrome wire. The wire was last used to test a sodium compound.
| Test | Preparation of the wire | Flame colour after the wire is dipped into solution P |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The wire is not cleaned | Yellow |
| 2 | The wire is cleaned with dilute hydrochloric acid and heated until no colour is seen | Crimson red |
Explain what the results show about the metal ion in solution P and why the flame colour changed between the two tests.
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.