Flame Photometry

**Semantic type:** Laboratory Procedure

**Definition:** A type of atomic spectroscopy capable of qualitatively or quantitatively determining certain cations (particularly Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Ba, Cu) by utilizing a low temperature flame capable of exciting a valence electron to an upper energy state which emits light at a wavelength unique to each cation as the electron returns to its ground state.

**Synonyms:** - FLAME PHOTOMETRY