Why are blue fireworks seldom seen?

As the Spring Festival approaches, fireworks begin to be set off in many places. But have you found that we seldom see blue fireworks? why?

Source Pexels first of all, we need to understand the elements corresponding to different colors. According to the flame reaction we learned in high school, we know that compounds containing sodium will be used in yellow fireworks, strontium in red fireworks, calcium in orange fireworks, and barium in green fireworks. Before, arsenic was used in blue fireworks, but it was poisonous, so it was later replaced by copper.

Next, we need to understand how these compounds emit light. Basically, fireworks are divided into four main components: gunpowder, compounds that produce color, leads, and glue that holds them together. When the fuse is ignited, it gradually burns, and then the gunpowder explodes. The high temperature of the explosion makes the compounds that produce color glow, forming the color we see. And the higher the temperature, the more radiation it will emit, and the brighter and stronger the corresponding color.

However, this high temperature is limited because it may break down the molecules that produce the color, thus invalidating the color. Our common fireworks color corresponds to molecules that are more resistant to high temperatures, such as red strontium chloride, which can withstand temperatures of 816 degrees Celsius. Copper chloride, which makes blue fireworks, begins to decompose when it is heated to a luminous temperature of 538 degrees Celsius.

Although we can still make blue fireworks, its effect is not as good as green, red and yellow, and we need to look for another more reliable compound.

This article comes from the official account of Wechat: Vientiane experience (ID:UR4351), author: Eugene Wang