Flame Tests

Aaron Keller, Chemistry Teacher, demonstrates the different colors that can be produced in a flame by the use of different metallic salts. When ions of the metallic elements in each salt are heated their electrons become excited. Excited electrons drop back down to lower energy levels and release light of very specific colors in the process. This makes for a beautiful demonstration and colorful fireworks.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• fire
• flame
• color
• fireworks
• electron
• emission
• excited
• state
• chemistry
• demonstration
• Burn
• Burning
• Demo
• Educational

[BJaustin101]

hey great vid whats the salt u used to create that flame i couldnt here it on the video

[aaronakeller]

@BJaustin101 They are all metallic chlorides. So, for example, the lithium salt is LiCl and the copper salt is CuCl2.

[GuiLingKwek]

nice vid! are there any metallic salts that can produce black flames?

[aaronakeller]

Not really. When objects appear black they are really absorbing all colors equally. It is not physically possible for something to emit light that shines black. Nearest I can come is 'black light', which is really ultraviolet (UV) light. This isn't directly visible to the eyes but it can be used to make things glow. I don't know of any salts that would do this.

[698choco698]

w0o0o0ow thats pretty :D

[BJaustin101]

o alright thank you

[iamjianen]

Awesome vid!