Scientific Investigatory Project:

The Chemistry of Colorful Fire

By Group 3

Mika Claire R. Silloriquez

Diane R. Baluyot

Jamela Mariz B. Estrella

Altheus Miguel P. Dela Cruz

Samira Mae M. Yumul

Date

Mrs. Rochelle R. Villarias

Research Adviser
 Acknowledgment

First of all, praises and thank to God, for his showers of blessings throughout our

study to complete it successfully. We also like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to

our Research Adviser, Mrs Rochelle R. Villarias, for giving us the opportunity to do this

research and providing valuable guidance throughout this research. We offer our sincere

appreciation for the learning opportunities provided by our adviser.

To our parents, we are grateful for giving their support for our study and giving us

some budget for our materials in our works. Their encouragement when times got rough are

much appreciated. Finally, to our classmates and group mates, our completion of this project

could not be accomplished without their support. Our heartfelt thanks yo everyone for their

total support.
Table of Contents

Introduction..............................................................................................................................3

Background of the Study............................................................................................................3

Statement of the Problem/Objectives.........................................................................................5

Significance of the Study...........................................................................................................6

Scope and Limitations................................................................................................................7

Review of Related Literature.....................................................................................................7

Level1.........................................................................................................................................4

Level2.........................................................................................................................................5

Level2.........................................................................................................................................6
Background of the Study

Mika Claire R. Silloriquez

Diane R. Baluyot

Jamela Mariz B. Estrella

Altheus Miguel P. Dela Cruz

Samira Mae M. Yumul

There once was a student who had a fascination with fire. In their lifetime, they had

witnessed countless fires, but they had all been the same color: orange and yellow. The

students questioned whether it was possible to start a fire using various colors. They made the

decision to set out on a quest to learn how to create a vibrant fire.

Have you seen a fire color besides yellow and orange? When it comes to fire, the

most common color we see is probably yellow or orange, and this is usually from burning

something like paper and wood. What we have always found interesting though, was how

many other colors are possible, and it can really depend on what’s burning. We are curious

about how to make rainbow fire, colorful fires, how to make green fire, how to make purple

fire, how to make blue flames, fire rainbows and more.

A fuel and oxygen are changed chemically by fire into carbon dioxide and water. It is

an exothermic reaction, which means that it generates heat. Due to the relatively weak

chemical bonds in the oxygen molecule and the more stable new bonds formed, there is a net

production of energy. Fuel + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water is the fundamental combustion

equation for fire.

 Figure 1. The Fire Triangle

A fire that displays colors other than the typical orange and yellow hues created by

burning fuel is said to be colorful. This can be done by adding specific materials or

substances to the fire that, when burned, emit various colors.

Metal salts, such as copper sulfate or strontium chloride, which can produce blue or

red flames, respectively, are some typical materials that can be added to a fire to produce

colorful flames. Another substance that can result in a green flame is potassium nitrate. The

spectral lines of the light emitted by the excited atoms and ions in the flame determine the

specific color that a given substance produces. A flame does have color from incandescence,

but it is not the only source. Flame coloring is another effective way to demonstrate how fire

changes when heated and how that changes the material around it. An analytical chemistry

technique used to help identify metal ions is the flame test. Some metal ions exhibit colors

that are similar to one another, making it difficult to distinguish among them. Though, the test

is still helpful for identifying many metals and metalloids.

The reason we conduct this study is, most of the time, we only see fire with its three

basic color structures: red, orange, and yellow. We'd like to inform others that they can

change its color to something unique. Yes, we know that fire is extremely dangerous[1], but

we can make it fun somehow, so that people can be amazed rather than scared when they see

it in different colors rather in its usual colors. We came up doing this project because we were
so impressed that seeing fire in different colors made us realize that science can actually

make it happen by burning chemicals, thus, this gave us a goal to test and achieve it

ourselves.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, to determine the most effective and safe method for creating a stable and

vibrant flame in multiple colors for use in outdoor or indoor settings.

General Objectives:

1. To understand the science behind the different colors that flames can produce.

2. To study the chemical reactions that occur when different substances are burned.

Specific Objectives:

1. To share the results of the experiment with others to increase their understanding of the

science behind creating a colorful fire.

2. To investigate the role of different chemical elements or compounds in producing

specific colors in flames.

The hypothesis of this study is that other than the typical orange and yellow hues

produced by burning fuel, fire will not display any other color. This supposition makes the

assumption that the fire won't change color if any materials or substances are added to it.

This research experiment was conducted to identify the different colors of fire, what

causes it, and if one can determine how hot or dangerous the flames are by knowing their

color. Accidents as such usually occur due to a violation of fire safety rules and regulations,

and determining this may help put it out appropriately and avoid it breaking out.
Students.

This research experiment will provide knowledge about the different chemicals

present in the fire that may cause different colors.

Normal Civilians.

This research experiment will provide knowledge about the different states of fire to

avoid recklessly putting it out by blowing it or pouring water firsthand.

Community.

This research experiment will provide knowledge on the awareness of unintentional

negligence, irresponsible behavior, and product or technology defects that causes fire.

Fire Department.

This research experiment will provide awareness of the various source of fire and

what may be the best way to rescue others for safety and determine how to extinguish it with

correlation to the cause and where it occurred.

The chemistry of a colorful fire is a fascinating and complex topic that scientists and

researchers have studied extensively. Here are some good sources of information on the

chemistry of colorful fires:

1. "The Chemistry of Colored Flames and Fireworks" by J. S. Francis and J. W. Emsley

(Journal of Chemical Education, 1983).

This article discusses the chemistry of colored flames and fireworks. It goes over the

fundamentals of emission spectra and how they relate to the colors produced by various
chemical elements. It also contains extensive information on the chemical composition and

properties of common pyrotechnic substances, as well as how they produce various colors.

2. "Colorful Flames: The Importance of Metal Ions and Excited States" by P. Thakur and S.

P. Singh (Journal of Chemical Education, 2013).

This article examines the role of metal ions and excited states in the formation of

colorful flames. It goes over the electronic structure of metal ions and how it affects flame

emission spectra. It also provides a detailed analysis of the chemical reactions that produce

specific colors in flames, as well as the conditions needed to produce different colors.

3. "The Chemistry of Coloured Flames" by D. Bryce-Smith (Chemistry in Britain, 1980).

This article provides a historical overview of the study of colorful flames, as well as a

discussion of flame spectroscopy principles. It goes into detail about the chemical elements

and compounds that produce specific colors in flames, as well as the role of temperature and

oxygen concentration in the production of colored flames.

4. "Colored Fire: A Review of Pyrotechnic Flames" by S. S. Lucky and T. C. Liang (Journal

of Pyrotechnics, 2003).

This article provides a thorough examination of the chemistry of colored fire, with a

focus on the pyrotechnic industry. It covers the chemical reactions and properties of

commonly used pyrotechnic substances, as well as flame spectroscopy principles and the

factors that influence flame color.

 Overall, these and similar articles provide a wealth of information on the chemistry of

colorful fires. They highlight the intricate interplay of chemical reactions, temperature, and

atmospheric conditions that results in the wide range of colors seen in flames, and they

provide perspectives into the technical and artistic applications of colorful fire in fields such

as fireworks displays, materials science, and the performing arts.