The sky across Oklahoma is about to be lit up with some amazing colors as fireworks shows celebrate the Fourth of July. But what causes fireworks to be certain colors? Each color is created by unique elements combined with minerals.
Colors and Their Causes
Barium produces a bright green color, while sodium gives fireworks a yellow color. Strontium yields a deep red color and can be mixed with other elements to create different colors. When strontium is mixed with copper, it creates a purple color, and when mixed with sodium, it creates a bright orange color. Titanium, zirconium, and magnesium are used to create a silver color.
The bright flashes and loud bangs that come with fireworks are caused by a separate element – aluminum powder.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
