Green Fireworks

[Califox]

Which 2 elements are used to produce the colour green in fireworks?

[theprof]

Elements are not normally used for this purpose.

Bismuth salts such as Bismuth Nitrate will give a true green colour.

Some Copper salts are used to provide a bluish-green colour.

[Califox]

Hi The Prof!

Thanks for your reply. I've been searching on the internet for the answer to this question and have found sites that say it's either Barium Chloride or Barium Carbonate. I have no idea whatsoever on this subject and was surprised that your answer was so different to what I'd found. I'm doing a quiz and 'elements' is used in the question - what do you think?

[theprof]

I can't apologise enough. I must be going barmy!

You're right. It was Barium Nitrate I was thinking of. Barium Chloride, Barium Carbonate and Barium Chlorate would also be suitable.

Copper salts are usually combined with other inorganic salts to give a varying blue-green colour, but Barium is normally used to provide a true green.

I doubt very much that firework manufacturers would use pure elemental Barium for this purpose. Barium en masse is more expensive than its salts weight for weight and the pure metal readily oxidises in air forming Barium Oxide. The metal is usually stored beneath paraffin or other oil.

Barium salts would combine more readily with the inorganic oxidisers, fillers and other substances used in the fireworks.

[Califox]

Wow - you know your stuff!!! I feel really thick after reading that! Thanks for your help.