Why are the flames different colors when burning a log?

Answer 1

The flames produced when burning a log can appear in different colors due to the presence of various chemical elements in the wood. For example, orange and yellow flames are typically caused by the combustion of carbon (from the wood) and hydrogen (from the water content in the wood). Blue flames, on the other hand, are often indicative of the presence of carbon monoxide or methane in the combustion process. The specific colors observed can also be influenced by factors such as temperature, oxygen supply, and the presence of impurities in the wood.

Answer 2

a different color flame, will indicate the different levels of oxygen intake of the flame. when the flame is blue, it indicates that the flame has a very low amount of O2 in the gas which is trying to burn. And when the flame is RED, means that there is more oxygen available when it is burnt.

Answer 3

Atoms are surrounded by electrons that are in orbitals, or energy levels, around the nucleus. The electrons can be 'pushed' to another energy level but they always return to the energy level that is most stable or of least energy. Each atom has their electrons at slightly different energy levels, almost like finger prints for atoms.

It takes energy to push electrons into the next energy level but when the extra energy is removed the electrons return to their original orbit and release energy. That's what we see when the flames change color. You can even buy different solutions to put on the log to give you different colors.

Sodium is very common in living things and shows a yellow flame;

Copper shows a lovely apple green;

Potassium is purplish; and

Lithium is red.

The trouble is that sodium is so common and shows such a strong yellow flame it usually masks the other elements but occasionally we get a glimpses of them.

Scientists use the principal of "the flame test" to help them identify elements. Mass spectrometry analyses the wavelengths both visible and non-visible of light emitted from excited atoms. They use this information to determine the content of samples.

Answer 4

The hotter the flame, the less color (and light) given off. Bright, yellow flames are the result of carbon that has not been burned, where blue flames indicate a near total burning of the fuel. Other chemicals present in the wood can color flames- sometimes added for the appearance- red, yellow, blue, green.

Answer 5

The colors in flames when burning a log are due to the different chemical elements present in the wood and the temperature at which they burn. For example, blue flames indicate the burning of carbon and hydrogen, while orange flames are from the presence of sodium, potassium, or calcium. Each element emits a specific wavelength of light, creating a variety of colors in the flames.

Answer 6

Its comes from the dirty of the flame if its red its the dirty the blue is pure so that's it