I'm studying about the s-block elements in my course of Inorganic Chemistry and I happened to come across the following text.
Electrons may be quite readily excited to a higher energy level, for example in the flame test. To perform this test, a sample of Metal Chloride or any salt of metal moistened with conc. HCl, is heated on a platinum or nichrome wire in a Bunsen burner flame.
Why are metal chlorides specifically used and also what is the role of the Plantinum or Nichrome wire?