For most people pyrotechnics provide entertainment, but for a select few the production of fireworks is a passion and a matter of pride. Display fireworks have small capsules containing a mixture of compounds that burst apart and burn brightly like coloured stars. Formulating colour-emitting pyrotechnic compositions requires understanding of many chemical concepts, from quantum theory to thermodynamics. Pyrotechnicians strive to create new and exciting effects, but they are also on a quest to produce the perfect blue flame.
Copper compounds are used to produce blue flames. However, when copper compounds are burnt in a bunsen burner flame they emit light in the green region of the spectrum (see Figure 1 and CHEMISTRY REVIEW, Vol. 17, No. 1, p. 34). So where is the blue colour coming from?
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
