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A flame test would suffice as two different, distinguishable colours are produced by each ion. For example, when barium ions are sprayed into a flame, a green colour is observable. When calcium ions are sprayed into a flame, a brick red colour is observable. I believe there is no need for the addition of fluoride ions..So I know if you add sulfuric acid to a sample and get a precipitate it can be either Barium or Calcium ions present. Most sources then go on to say add fluorine ions, but would a flame test suffice? If not, why?
Tru dat. Plus now I've made a thread about it, I've pretty much committed the 'add F- ions' thing to memory LOLYou could pretty much do a flame test by itself and use the spectrum to determine a variety of ions present but scientifically, you typically want multiple tests to point in the same direction for it to be reliable.