|
Periodic Table
Elements in Fireworks
Fireworks rely on the chemical characteristics of the elements that are used to make them. This special periodic table highlights the elements that have significance to fireworks and pyrotechnics. Click on the element to see what it does.
1
H
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
He
|
3
Li
|
4
Be
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
B
|
6
C
|
7
N
|
8
O
|
9
F
|
10
Ne
|
11
Na
|
12
Mg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
Al
|
14
Si
|
15
P
|
16
S
|
17
Cl
|
18
Ar
|
19
K
|
20
Ca
|
21
Sc
|
22
Ti
|
23
V
|
24
Cr
|
25
Mn
|
26
Fe
|
27
Co
|
28
Ni
|
29
Cu
|
30
Zn
|
31
Ga
|
32
Ge
|
33
As
|
34
Se
|
35
Br
|
36
Kr
|
37
Rb
|
38
Sr
|
39
Y
|
40
Zr
|
41
Nb
|
42
Mo
|
43
Tc
|
44
Ru
|
45
Rh
|
46
Pd
|
47
Ag
|
48
Cd
|
49
In
|
50
Sn
|
51
Sb
|
52
Te
|
53
I
|
54
Xe
|
55
Cs
|
56
Ba
|
57
La
|
72
Hf
|
73
Ta
|
74
W
|
75
Re
|
76
Os
|
77
Ir
|
78
Pt
|
79
Au
|
80
Hg
|
81
Tl
|
82
Pb
|
83
Bi
|
84
Po
|
85
At
|
86
Rn
|
87
Fr |
88
Ra |
89
Ac |
104
Rf |
105
Db |
106
Sg |
107
Bh |
108
Hs |
109
Mt |
110
110 |
111
111 |
112
112 |
| Symbol |
Name |
Fireworks Usage |
|
Al |
Aluminum |
Aluminum is used to produce silver and white flames and sparks.
It is a common component of sparklers. |
|
Ba |
Barium |
Barium is used to create green colors in fireworks, and it can
also help stabilize other volatile elements. |
|
C |
Carbon |
Carbon is one of the main components of black powder, which is
used as a propellant in fireworks. Carbon provides the fuel for a firework.
Common forms include carbon black, sugar, or starch. |
|
Ca |
Calcium |
Calcium is used to deepen firework colors. Calcium salts produce
orange fireworks. |
|
Cl |
Chlorine |
Chlorine is an important component of many oxidizers in
fireworks. Several of the metal salts that produce colors contain chlorine. |
|
Cu |
Copper |
Copper compounds produce blue colors in fireworks. |
|
Fe |
Iron |
Iron is used to produce sparks. The heat of the metal determines
the color of the sparks. |
|
K |
Potassium |
Potassium helps to oxidize firework mixtures. Potassium nitrate,
potassium chlorate, and potassium perchlorate are all important oxidizers. |
|
Li |
Lithium |
Lithium is a metal that is used to impart a red color to
fireworks. Lithium carbonate, in particular, is a common colorant. |
|
Mg |
Magnesium |
Magnesium burns a very bright white, so it is used to add white
sparks or improve the overall brilliance of a firework. |
|
Na |
Sodium |
Sodium imparts a gold or yellow color to fireworks, however, the
color is often so bright that it frequently masks other, less intense
colors. |
|
O |
Oxygen |
Fireworks include oxidizers, which are substances that produce
oxygen in order for burning to occur. The oxidizers are usually nitrates,
chlorates, or perchlorates. Sometimes the same substance is used to provide
oxygen and color. |
|
P |
Phosphorus |
Phosphorus burns spontaneously in air and is also responsible for
some glow in the dark effects. It may be a component of a firework's fuel. |
|
S |
Sulfur |
Sulfur is a component of black powder, and as such, it is found
in a firework's propellant/fuel. |
|
Sb |
Antimony |
Antimony is used to create firework glitter effects. |
|
Sr |
Strontium |
Strontium salts impart a red color to fireworks. Strontium
compounds are also important for stabilizing fireworks mixtures. |
|
Ti |
Titanium |
Titanium
metal can be burned as powder or flakes to produce silver sparks. |
|
Zn |
Zinc |
Zinc is a bluish white metal that is used to create smoke effects
for fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices. |
| Color |
Compound |
|
Red |
strontium salts,
lithium salts
lithium carbonate, Li2CO3 = red
strontium carbonate, SrCO3 = bright red |
|
Orange |
calcium salts
calcium chloride, CaCl2
calcium sulfate, CaSO4·xH2O, where x = 0,2,3,5 |
|
Gold |
incandescence of iron
(with carbon), charcoal, or lampblack |
|
Yellow |
sodium compounds
sodium nitrate, NaNO3
cryolite, Na3AlF6 |
| Electric
White |
white-hot metal, such
as magnesium or aluminum
barium oxide, BaO |
|
Green |
barium compounds +
chlorine producer
barium chloride, BaCl+ = bright green |
|
Blue |
copper compounds +
chlorine producer
copper acetoarsenite (Paris Green), Cu3As2O3Cu(C2H3O2)2
= blue
copper (I) chloride, CuCl = turquoise blue |
|
Purple |
mixture of strontium
(red) and copper (blue) compounds |
|
Silver |
burning aluminum,
titanium, or magnesium powder or flakes |
|
|
