Why do gas flames sparkle yellow when water falls on it?
Sakshi Education
![](/sites/default/files/images/2013/04/27/sparkle.jpg)
- The water we generally use has a high concentration of Sodium Chloride (Common salt) in it. When water falls on the burning gas flame, the excited electrons in Sodium ions come back to the ground state with the release of photons that correspond to yellow colour and we can also see white spots on the burner due to settling of these salt particles.
- Sodium vapors are the reason for the yellow color of many street lights and flood lights that we regularly see around.
Hemachandra K
Research Scholar, TIFR, Mumbai
Published date : 27 Apr 2013 06:46PM