Do you think that potassium could be detected visually in the presence of sodium by heating this mixture in a flame?

Question

In a flame test experiment, sodium gives the brightest and most persistent color in the flame. Do you think that potassium could be detected visually in the presence of sodium by heating this mixture in a flame? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Depending on the concentration, maybe. Sodium overwhelms the flame with its golden color. Potassium is usually a light violet color that is difficult to see in low concentrations.