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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: gbrasier on June 17, 2009, 09:14:38 AM

Title: Why don't anions produce colours in flame tests?
Post by: gbrasier on June 17, 2009, 09:14:38 AM

I know that flame tests can be used to distinguish between some metal ions, and that the colours come from excited electrons returning to the ground state.  My question is, why don't non-metal anions also produce colours?  Are their emission spectra in the non-visible range?  Is there a simple reason why?

Title: Re: Why don't anions produce colours in flame tests?
Post by: Astrokel on June 17, 2009, 09:53:32 AM

You are right, it is probably in infra - UV ~ region