How do you think this relates to fireworks? In your explanation be sure to use the following key terms:
Ground state
Excited state
Photon
Energy
Spectrum
Most fireworks add some chemical to make the color red, green, blue, etc.
What happens is that the energy from the blast vaporizes the chemical, the atoms of the chemical absorb energy and move the atom(s) from the ground state to the excited state. The excited state is not stable and it returns to the ground state (either in one step or several) but each step results in the release of energy in the form of a photon and all of the photons together produce a spectrum of that specific chemical.
I am on k12.
I have struggled on this for a week now.
excited state
Are you on k12??
Fireworks are a spectacular display of light and color that can be understood by considering the concepts of ground state, excited state, photons, energy, and spectrum.
First, let's talk about ground state and excited state. At the most basic level, ground state refers to the lowest energy state that an atom or molecule can be in. When an atom or molecule absorbs energy, it can transition to a higher energy state called the excited state. This transition occurs when the electrons within the atom or molecule absorb energy and become energized.
Now, let's focus on photons. A photon is a fundamental particle of light. When an electron in the excited state falls back to a lower energy level (the ground state), it releases energy in the form of a photon. This emitted photon carries a specific amount of energy corresponding to the energy difference between the excited and ground states.
Energy is a crucial component in understanding the behavior of fireworks. Different elements or compounds used in fireworks contain atoms or molecules with different energy level transitions. By adding energy to these substances, typically through a chemical reaction, the atoms or molecules within them can reach the excited state.
When the excited atoms or molecules return to their ground state, they emit photons with specific energy levels. These photons have different wavelengths, which correspond to different colors of light. The collection of all these emitted photons creates the colorful and vibrant display that we associate with fireworks.
Finally, let's consider the spectrum. The spectrum refers to the range of wavelengths of light emitted by a particular substance. Each element or compound used in fireworks has a unique set of energy level transitions, leading to the production of photons with specific wavelengths. By analyzing the spectrum of the emitted light, scientists can identify the elements or compounds present in the fireworks composition.
In summary, the concept of ground state, excited state, photons, energy, and spectrum come together when explaining how fireworks create their mesmerizing display of light and colors.