What is the source of colours in fireworks and during the burning of artificial logs?

Question

What is the source of colors in exploding fireworks and during the burning of artificial logs?

Answer 1

When ionised metals are heated to a sufficiently high temperature, their electrons jump into higher energy orbitals. When these electrons revert to their normal lower energy orbital the energy is released in the form of light , the wavelength (color) corresponds to the energy difference and is specific for each metal.
e.g. copper = green,
sodium = orange,
calcium, strontium, lithium = red
potassium = lilac

Answer 2

Here is a little history. Back in the old days, the Chinese would light up the firework to scare away evil spirits (because of the light and the noise) when they were celebrating some special occasions. In the U.S., Americans light up firework to celebrate Independence Day (or New Year and other occasions), which is the 4th of July. Independence Day is commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the British. American Civil War fought from 1861 to 1865 after several Southern states declared their secession and formed the Confederate States of America (the "Confederacy" or the "South"). The states that did not declare secession were known as the "Union" or the "North." Now, wake the hell up during your history class.

Answer 3

the chemical properties of minerals, did you ever do a flame test of different minerals? Well when you do, you will see the different colors minerals produce when heated by a lab test flame, the flame will change to the color the mineral chemically reacts to when heated. I don't remember what colors corrulate to what minerals, but you can find out at any library. Just look up mineral properties and flame test results or talk to a mineralogist or a geologist.

Answer 4

The characteristic flame colours of each element, for example;
Green for copper
Yellow for sodium
Red for cobalt
white/yellow for iron
Red for potassium
yellow/green for zinc
etc etc.

Answer 5

Various chemicals that ignite when exposed to heat or other chemicals. For example, one is Cu(NO3)2, which makes the green flashes.

Answer 6

different chemicals and sometimes metallic shavings produce the different colors
the following is listed in this order:Oxidizers-Fuel-The special effect or color that is created

Potassium nitrate-Aluminum-Red flame: strontium nitrate, strontium carbonate

Potassium chlorate-Magnesium-Green flame: barium nitrate, barium chlorate

Potassium perchlorate-Titanium-Blue flame: copper carbonate, copper sulfate, copper oxide

Ammonium perchlorate-Charcoal-Yellow flame: sodium oxalate, cryolite (Na3AIF6)

Barium nitrate-Sulfur-White flame: magnesium, aluminum

Barium chlorate-Antimony sulfide-Gold sparks: iron filings, charcoal

Strontium nitrate-Dextrin-White sparks: aluminum, magnesium, aluminum-magnesium alloy, titanium


(fuel..no oxidizer) Red gum-Whistle effect: potassium benzoate or sodium salicylate

(fuel..no oxidizer)Polyvinyl chloride -White smoke: mixture of potassium nitrate and sulfur

(effect..no fuel or oxidizer)Colored smoke: mixture of potassium chlorate, sulfur, and organic dye

Answer 7

magnesium is used for white