Abstract
THE green tint referred to by “S.” (supra) as imparted by zinc sulphate to the Bunsen flame is only observed whilst the water of crystallisation contained in the salt is being given off; the dry salt which remains imparts no colour to the flame. It therefore appears probable that the green colouration of the flame is caused by very finely divided particles of the salt being carried off into the upper part of the flame by the escaping water of crystallisation. These particles then become so intensely heated as to emit the peculiar greenish light and very likely suffer previous reduction by the carbon of the flame. Other zinc salts, especially the acetate, impart to the flame, when first heated, a greenish-blue tint resembling that observed when metallic zinc is burnt in the air, this being doubtlessly due to a partial reduction of the acetate. The characteristic zinc lines (6362 and 6099 in the red, and 4928, 4924, and 4911 in the blue) are not seen in the case of the salts or when the metal is burnt. A more correct description of the combustion of zinc than that referred to would be: “the metal burns with a bluish-white flame.”
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BOTT, W. Salts of Zinc. Nature 23, 78 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/023078c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/023078c0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.