# Fire Works (DD-155)

> 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.

- Department: Science
- First published: 2024-01-01
- Last updated: 2024-01-01
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-works/
- Original Reel title: Fire Works 🎆
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-155-F01**: Metals give characteristic flame colors. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Flame test))_
- **DD-155-F02**: Strontium gives red. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Strontium red))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Flame test**: Metals give characteristic flame colors.
2. **Strontium red**: Strontium gives red.
3. **Copper blue**: Copper gives blue or green.
4. **Sodium yellow**: Sodium gives yellow.
5. **Hard blue**: Blue is the hardest firework color.

## Related case files

- [Cherenkov Glow (DD-020)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/cherenkov-glow/): I linked more about colored light
- [Shine Bright (DD-165)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shine-bright/): I linked more chemistry you can see
- [Blue/Green (DD-361)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/blue-green/): I linked more colored flames

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

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

- Duration: 23.9 s · Published: 2024-01-01
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1kS-AyJS-M.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What produces firework colors?**  
A: Heated in the burst. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Flame test) · Wikipedia: Flame test)_

**Q: Which metal gives red?**  
A: Lithium too. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Strontium red) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks)_

**Q: Which gives yellow?**  
A: Very bright. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Copper blue) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks)_

**Q: Which gives blue?**  
A: Hard to get right. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Sodium yellow) · Wikipedia: Flame test; Wikipedia: Fireworks)_

**Q: What is the lab test called?**  
A: Identifies metals. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Hard blue) · Wikipedia: Fireworks)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Flame test](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame_test)
- [Wikipedia: Fireworks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/