# Lithium, sodium and potassium are all alkali metals. A student carries out flame tests on compounds of each of these metals. State the flame colour observed for lithium, sodium and potassium, and explain why flame tests are described as qualitative tests.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1) — 2.1 Group 1 (alkali metals) · State and Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Lithium gives a red/crimson flame colour
2. Sodium gives a yellow/orange-yellow flame colour
3. Potassium gives a lilac/violet flame colour
4. A qualitative test identifies which metal ion (cation) is present / tells you what is present, but does not measure how much / does not give a quantity or concentration

## Key terms

- [flame test](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/flame-test)
- [qualitative](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/qualitative)
- [alkali metals](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/alkali-metals)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "State and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/lithium-sodium-and-potassium-are-all-71498993) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.