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Light and Colors
Incandescence and
luminescence are the two main working parts that produce the color in fireworks.
The light produced from heat is called incandescence. Colors ranging from
infrared to white are produced as heat causing a substance to get hotter.
Metals like titanium and aluminum can be used to increase the temperature
and cause the firework to burn brighter. The light that is produced using
energy sources other than heat is called luminescence. Luminescence is
sometimes called "cold light," because it is light produced, not by heat,
but by other energy sources. Energy absorbed by an electron of an atom
or molecule will cause it to be excited and unstable. When the electron's
energy state is lowered, it is released as light. (Photon.) Different elements
are combined according to the reaction they produce, to control the release
of colors at different temperatures. Example: Barium chloride will produce
the color green, but isn't stable at room temperature. It has to be combined
with more stable compound like chlorinated rubber to produce the desired
color. The quality of a firework is determined by the purity of the ingredients,
the formulation of the compounds and the skills of the manufacturer. The
date the product was made or age of the firework can also have an affect
on the presentation.
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