Colored Flames

In this instructable i'll be showing you guys how to make multi-colored flames!
The flames turn green, blue and purple!

This is also great on a fireplace or campfire to bring out the true colors of fire!

When a metal or metal salt is burned, the input of thermal energy raises the electrons in the metal atom to a higher energy state. These electrons cannot remain in this excited state for too long and will emit energy in the form of light to return to the more stable, grounded state which is the light.

Ahhh, beautiful colored flames!

Step 1: Materials

1) Copper(ii) chloride (for blue color, i think it's also called cupric chloride)
2) Copper sulfate and borax (for green color... be careful with the copper sulfate; call a doctor if it gets in your eyes or you swallow it or if you keep it on your skin for too long; this is a very dangerous chemical)
3) Potassium chloride (for purple color)
4) Matches or a lighter
5) A fireplace with logs or a campfire (or just a piece of paper or something that can be lit)
6) Rubber gloves (don't forget, you're dealing with chemicals here!)
7) A bowl and a stirrer to mix the chemicals
8) A tissue (optional; only if you want to make a color bomb... which I know you do!)

All these chemicals aren't too hard to find, I got most of them from my old Chemistry teacher at my school (he was both surprised and glad that I asked him if he had any of these chemicals laying around! =P)

Comments

[GASSYPOOTS]

It's been a while since I have Vernon but I want some shiny flames lololololol

[blackcat2]

lol :P they so shiny

[jadronx]

another thing for blue would be magnesium powder... shouldn't be too hard to get if you have a pyrotechnics supply store around

[PyromaniacDaniel]

Magnesium powder should burn a bright white. It is commonly used in the strobe style fireworks.

[blackcat2]

magnesium powder? will try!

[flipout]

can you post a video?

[crossfire]

can we see pics of the actual fire?

[blackcat2]

my fireplace broke and i haven't been successful in using other people's fireplaces! sorry about that.

[GASSYPOOTS]

rubber+copper= some other color

[blackcat2]

It makes both green and blue.

[Terranan]

for green fire, ive mixed boric acid (roach killer) and some methl alchohol. works well, but makes white smoke that im pretty sure is poisonous

[blackcat2]

interesting, i should try that, as for the white smoke, i think it is poisonous so ill keep that in mind!

[neozelandes]

could these chemicals be put into a candle?
if so do i just mix it in with the wax?

[blackcat2]

sorry for taking so long to respond, i was never told when people commented on my videos for some reason so its hard to keep up. i suppose so as long as the wax isn't too hot that it burns the chemicals on the spot, good idea, i should try that!

[FrozenIce]

Soo cool!!! definately a summer project.