The science behind how fireworks get their different colors

Every year, Missourians race to nearby firework business to purchase droves of fun surprises. Some large, some small. Either way, all fireworks use the same science to achieve the different color effects. 

Different elements are added to each firework. These different elements are the primary catalyst for the different colors of fire seen as they each react differently to heat allowing for the vibrant colors we see after ignited. 

You can see all three of these sparklers that are lit look nearly identical. But each one has trace amounts of different elements to achieve the separate colors 

Copper was added to the sparkler on the left to create the blue color, barium was added to the middle one to give glimmers of green, and strontium to the far right sparkler to create the red color. 

It’s important to understand these fireworks rely on oxygen, different types of powder,  elements, and some type of heat such as a lighter or spark to allow for this reaction to occur. 

The good news is conditions continue to look favorable for safer shooting thanks to little drought across the region and favorable minimal winds.