How Do Fireworks Change Colors?

Nothing thrills like the vibrant explosion of colors at annual fireworks displays. Brilliant reds, bright blues, happy yellows, and gorgeous greens light up the skies and fill us with joy. But how do these colors come about?

The answer is chemistry. Firework explosions create gases that excite electrons. As they return to normal, they emit colors according to the chemicals included in the gunpowder mixture.

The chemicals produce colors when the following are added:

•       Blues – copper
•       Yellow – sulfur
•       Green – barium
•       Purple – strontium, and copper

These metal salts are capable of producing intensely vibrant colors when ignited, making them ideal for fireworks. Additives like charcoal and potassium nitrate are also added to encourage an effective burn.

How It Works

Pea-sized pellets containing metal salts are added to the gunpowder mixture in each firework tube. These pellets are called pyrotechnic stars. The lift charge made from gunpowder combined in the small space of each tube creates the heat and gas that propels it into the sky as far as 1,000 feet.

After about 5 seconds, the intense heat and gases reach the center of the tube causing the pyrotechnic stars to explode and observers to smile with delight.

The lights observed are categorized as incandescent produced by heat and luminescent produced by other means.

The metal salts and other chemicals used in fireworks must be as pure as possible to create the best results. If impure, the light show won’t be as spectacular as it could have been. They may also be duds if they contain too many contaminants.

Professional fireworks companies regularly test their products to ensure a dazzling result every time.

Learn More About Fireworks

If you’d like to know more about the chemistry behind our top-rated fireworks, contact the expert team at Sky King Fireworks today for more details.