Burning Salts (Flame Test 01)

[surdana]

Why does the anion not affect the color of the flame?

[mrericsully]

@surdana To be honest I do not know for sure. One source that I read suggests that the metals are reacting with the oxygen in the air as they burn and therefore it is only the metals that are forming new compounds and so they are the only ones that give the flame color.

I've also heard that it has to do with the number of valence electrons to be excited and since the metals have fewer they get excited more easily.

Again, I don't know for sure and I've not found a lot of good sources of info.

[surdana]

@mrericsully OKaaay thank youu!

[meganinfante]

That's amazing how different elements can react so differently and produce such appealing colors<3 I would love for you to be my teacher!

[mrericsully]

@meganinfante Thanks, I really appreciate it.

[TheeBirchfeathaa]

hey mrericsully!!! i loved the vid cuz of da colours :D but is it every possible to do it myself at home :D please message if you have an answer :D goodbye

[11to]

why do people say you must do it with CH3OH? Its a scary chemical :P

[mrericsully]

No clue. Could be cost, but both work. Having said that both have their hazards.

The alcohol doesn't matter as long as it doesn't interfere with the color.

[11to]

can you do it whit C2H5OH istead of CH3OH?

[mrericsully]

That is what I use here.

[gwagetha]

first comment!

[DerangedTechnologist]

There is a very stupid error in this video: the claim that the sun is yellow because it has sodium in it. If you look at photos taken from space, you will see that the sun is not yellow at all; it's just about white. The _atmosphere_, which scatters blue, is what makes the sun appear yellow from the surface of the earth.

I don't know where this guy got the idea that sodium makes the sun yellow, but it's completely ridiculous. If you have any doubt about this, ask an astrophysicist.

[mrericsully]

First off I would say that if it is an error that it is a minor one or simply an oversight. I was teaching chemistry here and feel that with that in mind the demo and video is good.

I am sure that I read about this idea from a reputable source, but will check into it.

I do know for sure that Na was one of the first elements detected in the Sun through spectroscopy.

[mrericsully]

Also, I know that the Sun's color is space is quite different than what we see here through the atmosphere, the photosphere does make the Sun appear yellow while the chromosphere gives it a red color. Also, if you look at an HR Diagram our Sun is a yellow class G star.

[StopShootingMe]

Mind your manners, prat. If you want to educate viewers post a link and say your piece, as it is you just sound smug and self-righteous.

[mrericsully]

Personally I don't mind good conversation.

[littleangel012]

translation please