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chemistry FAQ's

How Do You Get Different Coloured Fireworks?

Fireworks are a personal favourite of mine, with firework science being particularly popular amongst my pupils. The different colours are created using different chemicals, and one of two different chemical reactions: incandescence (light created through heat) and luminescence (light without heat).

Fast Fact: The largest single firework to be set off was in Japan in 1988. The burst was over 1 kilometre across.

ColourChemical
OrangeCalcium
RedStrongtium and Lithium
GoldIron
YellowSodium
WhiteMagnesium or Aluminium
GreenBarium plus a Chlorine producer
BlueCopper plus a Chlorine producer
PurpleStrontium plus Copper
SilverAluminium or Magnesium powder

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