Metal Glow

7/31/2019 Metal Glow

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When different metals are heated by

a flame, different colors areproduced. The property of having

different flame colors is used in

displays such as fireworks.


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Some General Chemistry

Before discussing the flame, it isbest to be familiar with somegeneral chemistry terms.

Atoms are the smallest units of

matter. They are made of otherparticles: protons, neutrons,and electrons.

Elements are specific atoms.They have the same number ofprotons.

Compounds are thecombinations of more than oneelement.

Above is a calcium

atom. Below is a

iron atom.


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Different Elements

The periodic table arranges elements based on their properties.

The three major element groups are metals, nonmetals, and semi-metals.

In this presentation, we will focus on metals and their compounds,which include elements that arent metals.

Metals are shown in blue

Semi-metals are shown in pinkNonmetals are shown in yellow


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Why are there different colors?

The short answer is that for every metal element or

compound, there is a different arrangement of

electrons. When energy is given to electrons, theyjump to a position which they normally arent in.

As they fall back down to their normal position,

they release energy, which we see as light.


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Iron

Iron (Fe) is produces

yellow sparks when

heated. This can be seen

in fireworks, as well as

when a metalworker is

applying heat to iron or

steel. (Steel is acombination of iron and

carbon.)


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Copper

Copper (Cu) is noted forits blue or bluish greencolor. This color is seenin its salts*, when itrusts (such as the Statueof Liberty), when it isdissolved in water, and

when it is exposed toheat.

This flame is colored by Copper

Sulfate (CuSO4)

*A salt is any neutral ionic compound.

Ionic compounds are the combinations

of ions, such as Sodium Ion and chloride

ion, making table salt (NaCl).

The fireworks

display is

colored blue

by a copper

compound.


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Barium

Barium (Ba) is a Alkaline

Earth metal which glows

green when heated.

Many of the alkali and

alkaline earth metals

glow when subjected to

heat. Barium nitrate(BaNO3) is often used as

a colorant for fireworks.


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Potassium

Potassium (K) is another Alkalimetal which glows when placedin a flame. Potassium

compounds often produce apurple flame. In fireworks,potassium compounds not oftenused as colorants, but as an

oxidizer, which enhances theduration and intensity of othercolors. This flame is colored by

potassium chloride (KCl)


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Lithium

Lithium (Li) is an alkali metal

which holds the distinction of

being the lightest metal and

the third lightest element.

When placed under a flame,

lithium compounds, especially

lithium carbonate, will glowred when placed under a

flame.


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Magnesium

Magnesium (Mg) is an

alkaline earth metal

which burns a bright

white color. Its intense

glow can help intensify

other colors when used

in fireworks.

Above is Magnesium

Chlorates (MgCl2)

flame


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Other Flames

Element Name Compound Color

(Flame)

Image

Calcium (Ca) Orange

Strontium (Sr) Red

Cesium Dark Bluish Purple

Rubidium Magenta, Purple

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