Group 1/2 flame colors and water hardness treatment

ChemistryInorganic ChemistryAges 17–18

Flame test mode: hold a salt sample of Li, Na, K, Ca, Sr or Ba in the burner flame, watch the flame turn the characteristic color, and see the emission line appear at the right wavelength on the spectrum band. Water hardness mode: a beaker of water contains Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ ions with HCO₃⁻ or SO₄²⁻; choose a softening method (boiling, Na₂CO₃, just enough Ca(OH)₂, ion exchange) and press Run to watch the precipitate form, the ion count drop, and the hardness recalculated in mmol/L.