Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Can you Please answer my questions for my science fair on colored flames.

1) Why do Flames change color ?

2) Do elements dictate color of Flame?

3) What other factors dictate color of a flame?



Thank you Very much

Hello ScienceIsLyfe32,

I’m assuming that you are working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

You might want to review the background section of the project. It has a pretty good explanation of how different colors result from heating different elements. And more information is provided in the references at the end of the background section. For example, the following link shows flame colors for various elements:

http://webmineral.com/help/FlameTest.shtml#.V-xQD6OZPUa

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman