Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How Light is Produced in Fireworks and The Flame Test Lab
Dr. DeBacco
Fireworks and Colors
When a firework explodes, the heat excites electrons in the metal atoms. As those electrons return to their normal state, they release energy as visible light and the color depends on the element.
Sources of Common Firework Colors…Element Examples
Flame Test Lab
A flame test is a simple chemistry technique used to identify certain elements (typically metal ions) based on the color of flame they produce when heated
The Role of Electrons in Light Production
When an element is heated in a flame:
Electrons absorb thermal energy and become excited, jumping to higher energy levels.
These excited electrons are unstable, so they quickly fall back to their original (ground) energy levels.
As they fall, they release energy in the form of light (photons).
Remember…
Note: the electron does not have to drop all the way back down to the lowest level.
It can get energized up to any level, and from there it can drop to any lower level AND the different drops each produce different frequencies of light.
How light is produced…
Electrons exist in very specific energy levels.
And when these electrons absorb energy…
They get jump up to higher levels.
It quickly drops down to a lower level, and gives off a distinct band of light energy.
Element Identification
The flame test is based on atomic emission spectroscopy.
Each element has a unique electron configuration, so the energy gaps between levels differ.
That means the wavelength (and color) of emitted light is unique for each element.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1VVBmcnso93DcoHhKSnitVx4nDrHzNsyM/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "How Light is Produced in Fireworks and The Flame Test Lab" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1JGWLIoLzMsnmz5bxC9KY-Rip4OYVvgUj/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
How Light is Produced in Fireworks and The Flame Test Lab
Dr. DeBacco
Fireworks and Colors
When a firework explodes, the heat excites electrons in the metal atoms. As those electrons return to their normal state, they release energy as visible light and the color depends on the element.
Sources of Common Firework Colors…Element Examples
Flame Test Lab
A flame test is a simple chemistry technique used to identify certain elements (typically metal ions) based on the color of flame they produce when heated
The Role of Electrons in Light Production
When an element is heated in a flame:
Electrons absorb thermal energy and become excited, jumping to higher energy levels.
These excited electrons are unstable, so they quickly fall back to their original (ground) energy levels.
As they fall, they release energy in the form of light (photons).
Remember…
Note: the electron does not have to drop all the way back down to the lowest level.
It can get energized up to any level, and from there it can drop to any lower level AND the different drops each produce different frequencies of light.
How light is produced…
Electrons exist in very specific energy levels.
And when these electrons absorb energy…
They get jump up to higher levels.
It quickly drops down to a lower level, and gives off a distinct band of light energy.
Element Identification
The flame test is based on atomic emission spectroscopy.
Each element has a unique electron configuration, so the energy gaps between levels differ.
That means the wavelength (and color) of emitted light is unique for each element.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1VVBmcnso93DcoHhKSnitVx4nDrHzNsyM/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "How Light is Produced in Fireworks and The Flame Test Lab" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1JGWLIoLzMsnmz5bxC9KY-Rip4OYVvgUj/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
