Fireworks Color

Red - Strontium salts
Orange - Calcium chloride

Yellow - Sodium chloride
Green - Copper sulfate
Blue - Copper chloride
Purple - Potassium chloride
Silver - Magnesium
White – Aluminum
Zumdahl, S. S., & DeCoste, D. J. (n.d.). The dazzling colors seen in fireworks are a
practical demonstration of quantized energy levels at work. Different chemicals in the fireworks
serve as a palette where each element provides its unique color based on its electron behavior.
When these chemicals are heated, their electrons gain energy and ascend to higher energy levels.
As they return to their original states, they release photons with specific energies, resulting in the
emission of vibrant colors. For instance, strontium compounds often result in red hues, while
copper compounds give blue or green colors, and sodium compounds can emit a yellow glow. The
myriad of colors visible during a fireworks display highlights the relationship between the
chemical composition and the precise energy transitions happening within the atoms. Each
explosion is a visible testament to the nature of quantized energy levels, where distinct electron
transitions correspond to particular hues in the visible spectrum.
Red - Strontium Salts: Most of the strontium salts used are the carbonates and nitrates of
strontium, for example, SrCO₃ and Sr(NO₃)₂. On heating strontium, light emission falls in the red
region at about 610-660 nm, hence imparting a vibrant red color to the firework. Due to stability,
these are also one of the favorite salts to be used to obtain good strong colors that do not fade out
fast. Orange - Calcium Chloride Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is a chemical that gives orange color in
fireworks. The ions emit light within the range of orange, usually in a wavelength around 585-610
nm. Calcium chloride is normally combined with other elements for stabilization to make the
orange color appear warmer. Yellow- Sodium Chloride, it is utilized in the fabrication of the yellow
color from sodium chloride, NaCl-also referred to as the common table salt. Light emission for
sodium is strong and vibrant yellow at roughly 589 nm. Light emission in such strength occurs
that little sodium can cover other colors. Green - Copper Sulfate: Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) is the
chemical responsible for green colors in fireworks. Copper ions emit green light when heated,
typically around 500–535 nm. Copper compounds are somewhat sensitive to temperature changes,
and maintaining the right combustion temperature is crucial to achieving a stable green hue. Blue
- Copper Chloride: Copper chloride (CuCl₂) produces a blue color in fireworks, with an emission
around 460–480 nm. Blue is also one of the more difficult colors to get right accurately because it
needs very precise temperatures. If the firework burns too hot or too cold, the hue of the blue can
drift, causing the color to be washed out or distorted. Purple - Potassium Chloride: Potassium
chloride (KCl) is used in creating purple. This compound can be combined with strontium salts to
create purple. Adding red or blue-light-emitting compounds can also produce potassium's soft
lavender color, varying from a bright red-purple to almost a pure violet color. Emission in purple
is visually observed as mixed red and blue light. Silver - Magnesium: Magnesium (Mg) is the most
used element to produce bright, silvery sparkling effects. Bright emission from high-temperature
combustion causes intense white or silver light emission while burning magnesium. Metallic
shimmering is one of the widely used methods for sparkling effects in fireworks. White -
Aluminum: Aluminum (Al) is another metal which is generally used to create white colors. This
one burn vividly with emission of white light but, unlike magnesium, is relatively more stable and
therefore usable over a larger range. Powder of aluminum is frequently combined with use of other
metals to generate multi-colored or intensely bright flashes of white color.

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Red - Strontium salts

Orange - Calcium chloride

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