This video clip is a repeat of the flame tests conducted in the lab last week.  The colours are more vibrant and the differences much more obvious.  From left to right, the cations involved are Potassium, Copper, Lithium and Sodium (K+, Cu+, Li+, Na+)Methyl hydrate was used as the combustible fluid and the samples were burned in watch glasses.  Less than 1g of the salt was added along with no more than 5ml of methy hydrate.  The longer burn time provided by the methyl hydrate might allow students to view the emission spectra of these cations. A Wikipedia article discussing flame tests is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame_test