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· The test cannot detect low concentrations of most ions.

· The brightness of the signal varies from one sample to another. For example, the yellow emission from sodium is much brighter than the red emission from the same amount of lithium.

· Impurities or contaminants affect the test results. Sodium, in particular, is present in most compounds and will color the flame. Sometimes a blue glass is used to filter out the yellow of sodium.

· The test cannot differentiate between all elements. Several metals produce the same flame color. Some compounds do not change the color of the flame at all. The flame test only works on certain molecules, more specifically the Alkali/Alkali Earth metals. It doesn't necessarily distinguish between compounds of these molecules neither.

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