Question

1. in the flame tests the observed spectra were seen to be characteristic of the metal ions in the sample. they are hydrated (water) and have nitrates (no3-) as the anion. they can also absorb light energy. why did you not see any spectral lines in the chart on the wall or charcteristics in the flame common to all samples that could be attributed to the presence of the water and nitrate?

Answer 1

The reason why you did not see any spectral lines in the chart on the wall or characteristics in the flame common to all samples that could be attributed to the presence of water and nitrate is because the flame tests specifically measure the spectra of metal ions, not the water or nitrate Ions.
During a flame test, a small amount of the sample is heated in a flame.
The heat excites the metal ions present in the sample, causing them to absorb energy from the flame.
When these excited metal ions return to their ground state, they release this excess energy in the form of light. Each metal ion emits a unique set of wavelengths, forming a characteristic spectrum that can be observed as colored lines. In the case of the samples you mentioned, they contain metal ions that are hydrated (combined with water) and have nitrates as the anion. However, the spectral lines observed in a flame test are primarily due to the metal ions, not the water or nitrate ions. While the presence of water and nitrate may affect the color and intensity of the flame, they do not directly contribute to the observed spectral lines.
To summarize, the absence of spectral lines in the chart or common characteristics in the flame attributed to water and nitrate ions is because the flame test focuses on the metal ions present in the sample, which have their own unique spectral lines.

Answer 2

In flame tests for metal ions, the observed spectral lines are typically attributed to the metal ions themselves, not the accompanying water or nitrate ions. This is because the energy levels and electron configurations of the metal ions are responsible for the unique spectral lines seen in the flame.

Water and nitrate ions do not contribute significantly to the observed spectral lines because they have different electron structures and energy levels compared to the metal ions. The flame test primarily focuses on exciting and emitting photons from the outer electrons of the metal ions when they absorb energy and move to higher energy states. These transitions produce the characteristic colors in the flame.

Water and nitrate ions do not undergo similar electron transitions in the flame to produce visible spectral lines. Their presence may affect the overall behavior of the flame or the burning process, but their spectral lines are not typically observed in flame tests for metal ions.