The phenomenon of flame color reactions occurs when specific metals are heated, causing the flame to emit a unique color. Firework makers utilize this principle to create beautiful, colorful fireworks.
The main metals and their corresponding flame colors are as follows:
- Red: Strontium or lithium
- Orange: Calcium
- Yellow: Sodium
- Green: Barium
- Blue: Copper
- Purple: Potassium
- White: Magnesium or aluminum
These compounds, which contain the metals, are combined with gunpowder in fireworks. When the fireworks explode, the high temperature heats the metals, causing them to emit their specific colors.
Firework makers create various colors and shapes by combining these metals or altering their proportions. For example, mixing red and green can produce a yellowish firework.
Thus, the beautiful colors of fireworks are the result of chemical reactions.