What chemical reactions are responsible for creating the vibrant colors seen in fireworks displays?
The vibrant colors seen in fireworks displays are created by chemical reactions involving metal salts. When these metal salts are heated, their electrons get excited and move to higher energy levels. As the electrons return to their original energy levels, they release energy in the form of light, creating various colors.

Different metal salts produce different colors:

1. Red: Strontium (Sr) or lithium (Li) salts, such as strontium carbonate (SrCO3) or lithium carbonate (Li2CO3).
2. Orange: Calcium (Ca) salts, such as calcium chloride (CaCl2).
3. Yellow: Sodium (Na) salts, such as sodium nitrate (NaNO3) or sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4).
4. Green: Barium (Ba) salts, such as barium chloride (BaCl2) or barium nitrate (Ba(NO3)2).
5. Blue: Copper (Cu) salts, such as copper chloride (CuCl2) or copper acetoarsenite (also known as "Paris Green").
6. Purple: A combination of strontium (red) and copper (blue) compounds.
7. White: Aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), or titanium (Ti) powders, which burn brightly and create white sparks.

These metal salts are often mixed with other chemicals, such as oxidizers, fuels, and binders, to create a pyrotechnic composition that burns efficiently and produces the desired visual effects.