Describe how to perform a flame test to identify an unknown compound.

The equipment needed is a bunsen burner, a wire loop, some HCl, and the compound being tested (usually in powder form). Set up the bunsen burner so that it is on a blue flame. Take the wire loop and dip it in the HCl to clean it - it can be tested to see if it is clean by holding it in the bunsen flame. If not colour is produced, the wire is clean. Take the wire and dip it in either HCl or distilled water then into the powder. Hold the wire loop into the flame and observe which flame colour is produced.