Chemistry Class Flame Tests

In Chemistry, students are just finishing a unit on ionic bonding and how ionic compounds (informally called "salts") form. Every salt is made up of a metal and a nonmetal element.
As we explore the differences between metals and non-metals and why they form ions and bond, we took the opportunity to experimentally determine how fireworks get their color.

Fireworks are essentially a mix of gunpowder and various ionic compounds which are then rocketed into the sky and ignited. The gunpowder gives us the loud BOOM and explosion, but the ionic compounds provide the variety of shimmering colors. Students were paired up and ask to choose three different salts to test.

By mixing each salt with methanol and carefully igniting the mixture with a match, the various salts caused the flame to change color. Bright greens, pinks, and oranges were witnessed. By thinking carefully about which salts they chose, students were able to determine if it was the metal or nonmetal portion of the salt that caused the color of the flame. But mostly, we just enjoyed safely playing with fire and seeing the cool colors.
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Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.