This weekend the sky will be filled up with all kinds of colors from all types of different fireworks over the Louisville area for the much anticipated Thunder Over Louisville event.
There will be all kinds of colors that will be popping loudly in the night sky later tonight, no doubt, but how do fireworks get their colors? The answer is minerals! Do you know what minerals make up each different color firework?! Check out this article from the USGS on the different types of minerals in each color firework so you can impress your friends this weekend with your firework knowledge!
Detailed Description
Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Barium produces bright greens; strontium yields deep reds; copper produces blues; and sodium yields yellow. Other colors can be made by mixing elements: strontium and sodium produce brilliant orange; titanium, zirconium, and magnesium alloys make silvery white; copper and strontium make lavender. Gold sparks are produced by iron filings and small pieces of charcoal. Bright flashes and loud bangs come from aluminum powder.
Image: USGS
Red: Sr – Strontium…