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Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 14th, 2009, 9:06 am
by superjenius
Thanks!

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 16th, 2009, 7:14 pm
by dudeincolorado
At competitions do they normally give you a Bunsen Burner? I need to know because the way I'm IDing powders we HEAVILY test with flame.

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 16th, 2009, 10:27 pm
by superjenius
I have always gotten one, save my first year on the event (2 years ago.) The rules only say that the supervisor will provide a flame source either candle or burner, so I would venture to guess that you will for sure get a flame source; whether burner or candle will be up to the supervisor.

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 12:00 am
by iwtban
I really need help for polymers, can anyone help please. I don't know how to identify them, the density test doesn't seem to work for me.

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 12:02 am
by dudeincolorado
I have never flame tested with a candle, is it much different? Obviously, the flame is less strong but is there anything else notable?

Density tests should work.... make sure you stir the pellets to get rid of the surface tension.

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 12:04 am
by iwtban
dudeincolorado wrote:I have never flame tested with a candle, is it much different? Obviously, the flame is less strong but is there anything else notable?

Density tests should work.... make sure you stir the pellets to get rid of the surface tension.
I don't think you can see the color, like LiCl with a reddish color when you use candle. The flame is not strong enough

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 7:16 pm
by adam124218
You can definitely see color for LiCl and KCl in a candle. I've really only ever used candles and we do just fine. You can't really see the green flame for boric acid and the calciums won't burn red, but that doesn't matter that much.

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 8:21 pm
by dudeincolorado
would calcium nitrate show up well?

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 8:50 pm
by superjenius
dudeincolorado wrote:would calcium nitrate show up well?

from a candle's flame? the last time i did it (with a candle) i was unable to see total orange; i used a piece of cobalt blue glass (for the first and last time) to make sure.

Re: Forensics?

Posted: February 17th, 2009, 9:08 pm
by dudeincolorado
But you could still see the orangeness right?