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Fire Works

Short answer: Heating certain metals in a flame gives off light of characteristic colors, which is the basis of the flame test in chemistry. Firework makers use metal salts for color: strontium gives red, calcium orange, sodium yellow, barium green and copper blue.

Lithium also gives a red flame. Blue is the hardest firework color to make, because copper compounds give a clean blue only in a narrow temperature range. The footage shows flames, fireworks and colored burns, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

In collections:Everyday Physics

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What should you know about Fire Works?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Metals give characteristic flame colors.

    DD-155-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Flame test)

  2. Strontium gives red.

    DD-155-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Strontium red)

Video transcript: Fire Works: Strontium Burns Red, Copper Blue-Green

The vibrant colors produced by flames during combustion are a result of specific elements present in the material being burned. DID YOU KNOW? Strontium compounds create a deep red flame, while copper produces a blue or green flame. Sodium contributes to a yellow flame, and lithium typically results in a bright red or pink flame. This colorful phenomenon is often harnessed in firework displays, where different metal salts are used to achieve a visually stunning array of hues. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 23.9s Reel ·

Video coming soonFire Works · Instagram Reel
Fire Works: Strontium Burns Red, Copper Blue-Green Instagram Reel · · 23.9s

The write-up

Strontium burns red, copper blue-green. Fireworks get their colors from metal salts.

  1. Exhibit A

    Flame test

    Metals give characteristic flame colors.

  2. Exhibit B

    Strontium red

    Strontium gives red.

  3. Exhibit C

    Copper blue

    Copper gives blue or green.

  4. Exhibit D

    Sodium yellow

    Sodium gives yellow.

  5. Exhibit E

    Hard blue

    Blue is the hardest firework color.

Questions people ask about Fire Works

What produces firework colors?

Heated in the burst.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Flame test) · Wikipedia: Flame test

Which metal gives red?

Lithium too.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Strontium red) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks

Which gives yellow?

Very bright.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Copper blue) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks

Which gives blue?

Hard to get right.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Sodium yellow) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks

What is the lab test called?

Identifies metals.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Hard blue) · Wikipedia: Fireworks

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What produces firework colors?

    1. Metal salts
    2. Food dye
    3. Paint
    4. Glass
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Metal salts Heated in the burst. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Flame test) · Wikipedia: Flame test

  2. Which metal gives red?

    1. Strontium
    2. Copper
    3. Sodium
    4. Barium
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Strontium Lithium too. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Strontium red) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks

  3. Which gives yellow?

    1. Sodium
    2. Strontium
    3. Copper
    4. Calcium
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Sodium Very bright. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Copper blue) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks

  4. Which gives blue?

    1. Copper
    2. Sodium
    3. Strontium
    4. Iron
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Copper Hard to get right. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Sodium yellow) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks

  5. What is the lab test called?

    1. Flame test
    2. Litmus test
    3. Mirror test
    4. Turing test
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Flame test Identifies metals. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Hard blue) · Wikipedia: Fireworks

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Fire Works." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-155, last updated Jan 1, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-works/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-works/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-155-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-works/#DD-155-F01

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