How are the colors in fireworks produced?
(Q&A by Heather Torbic)

The colors in fireworks are created by atomic emission and incandescence. Atomic emission occurs when atomic or molecular gases are heated. The heat raises the ground state electrons of these gases to higher energy levels. The electrons are now in an excited state. When the gases cool, these excited state electrons return to their ground state. Light is then given off due to the released energy.
Incandescence is the visible light given off by solid or liquid particles that have been heated. As the particles grow hotter, they glow red, orange, yellow, white, and blue.
Many chemical elements of the periodic table are used in fireworks to create the many colors visible in fireworks. Lithium and strontium are both used to bring a red color to the fireworks. The gold and yellow colors in fireworks come from sodium. Magnesium helps create bright, white flames in fireworks. Calcium helps deepen the colors produced by other elements in the firework mixture. Green fireworks are created by the use of barium. Titanium and iron both help produce sparks. Zinc contributes to creating smoke clouds and other effects. Aluminum produces silver and white sparks and flames. Antimony helps create glitter effects and sulfur is an important element used to help fuel fireworks.
Copper salts are most commonly used to produce blue. Blue is one of the most difficult colors to produce. This is because copper must be at a specific temperature to give off color. If copper is too hot it will decompose and if it is too cool it will not be excited enough to give off color.

Sources: www.explorescience.com <http://www.explorescience.com/>
www2.truman.edu

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