What is the chemical reaction happening when you see blue flames etc?
Hi, I can answer your question in 2 parts: Part 1: A fire or the light created called flame is the result of the process called combustion. This in the process involves active reaction of the oxygen. However depending on the extent of the oxygen supply; the flame attains different colors. A blue color indicates that the oxygen is used up effectively. Part 2: Flame test. Different sustances when brought in contact with the flame expels different colors. For instance Stroncium, emits a bright red color. Sodium – yellow. Maybe something was there in the beaker / test tube as you suspected. Further more there is a unique smell apart from the color expulsion that indicates the metal / substance. Hence I am unable to exactly pinpoint the reason. However the above are the probable reasons I infer. Hope I helped you.
