What Salts Create Different Colored Flames When Burned?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the colors produced by burning different salts, specifically focusing on the relationship between metal ions and flame color. Participants explore the types of salts that can create various flame effects, with an emphasis on practical applications such as creating visual effects in campfires.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants provide a list of metals and their corresponding flame colors, including barium (light green), calcium (brick red), copper (blue/green), lead (blue/white), potassium (lilac), and sodium (bright orange).
  • There is a question regarding whether "salts" refers specifically to ions, indicating a need for clarification on terminology.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the definition of salts and their role in producing flame colors, mentioning a desire to create fire effects.
  • Another participant notes that salts do not burn in the traditional sense but instead impart color to the flame.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relationship between metal ions and flame color, but there is some uncertainty regarding terminology and the nature of salts. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of which salts produce which colors and the underlying chemistry.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of salts and ions, as well as the specific conditions under which different salts produce their characteristic colors. The relationship between the metal component and the flame color is acknowledged but not fully explored.

xJuggleboy
Does anyone know of a list I can check to see what salts burn diffrent colors?
 
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xJuggleboy said:
Does anyone know of a list I can check to see what salts burn diffrent colors?

when you mean salts, you mean ions yes?

In general, i find the ones you need to know are:

metal
flame colour

barium
light green

calcium
brick red

copper
blue/green

lead
blue/white

potassium
lilac

sodium
bright orange

Im not sure if you asked this, but if it is, i hope it helps.
 
Bladibla said:
when you mean salts, you mean ions yes?

Im not really sure wha tI mean... I was told that if you put diffrent kinds of salt in a fire they would burn diffrent colors... I was thinking of making some cool fire effects in a camp fire. ISo I need to know what burns what color :confused:
 
what about cations?
 
xJuggleboy said:
Im not really sure wha tI mean... I was told that if you put diffrent kinds of salt in a fire they would burn diffrent colors... I was thinking of making some cool fire effects in a camp fire. ISo I need to know what burns what color :confused:
Salts are made up of a metal and the other bit. For example table salt is Sodium Chloride.
Sodium is a metal, it's only the metal that effects the color, giving the colors in the list above.
 
Also note that in most cases these salts don't burn - they just give color to flame.
 

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