Have you ever wondered why during camp fires we see different colors in the flames?
Or how to make red flames for Valentine or green Flame for Halloween just to be spooky,
We will be looking at different colors of flames and how we can make them at home.
The color seen in camp fires are a mixture of different colors of flames produced by certain chemicals in the wood. If we isolate this chemicals we can make the desired flame we want. Let us begin:
1. Green flames
The spookiest fire of them all. There are different chemicals that can turn flames green. And luckily for us some are major ingredients in our domestic items. Some are:
- Boric Acid: Can be found in disinfectants.
- Copper sulfate: Can be found in root killers and algicide.
- Borax: Can be found in laundry boosters.
Source: ThoughtCo
To form a vivid green flame, mix either of the chemicals with Heet(methanol) in a container and ignite.
Note: Do not use the flames to roast marshmallows or chicken, those chemicals are not edible. They can be used to make your house look spooky during the next Halloween.
2. Red flames
Red flames might just be the key to getting that girls heart his Valentine, which color describes love more than red?
The chemicals responsible for red flames is Lithium and strotinum salts
Unfortunately, unless you are a certified chemist you might not be able to order any of those compounds. Luckily for us, strotinum salt is a major compound in Road flare.
3. Blue flames
It is the hottest out of all domestic fires. It is the color seem when hydrogen is burned. Suitable for cooking but not as cool as the other flames.
Blue flames can also be seen when copper is burnt. Your cooker at home has a little blue flame because of the copper tubings. Most alcohols burn as blue flame, so next time you are chilling with a bottle of vodka, light it up and watch the flames burn.
4. Violet flames
Purple flames are cool( Who says science is not awesome). It would be nice to have the home lit up by violet fire but it is a color that we don't really see with our eyes. Violet flames is seen when potassium salts are burnt.
5. Orange flame
It is a common flame that is seen in camp fires. It is formed when calcium salts are burnt.
To make orange fire, Calcium chloride and methanol is mixed in a container. Pine cones can then be dipped in the mixture and allowed to dry. When dry, it can be lit to get a bright orange coloured flame.
This Valentine, surprise your love with a red flame, spook your neighbors with a green flame or feel like a scientist with a purple flame, Just don't burn your house down.
Thank you for reading.
Mechanical pip