Quiz Champion

Burning which of these metals will produce a bright white flame?

  • Lithium
  • Copper
  • Magnesium
  • Lead
Explanation

Magnesium is known to produce a bright white flame when burned due to its high reactivity and the emission spectrum of its combustion. When heated, magnesium atoms in the metal react with oxygen in the air to form magnesium oxide. During this exothermic reaction, energy is released in the form of light. The wavelength of light emitted by burning magnesium predominantly falls within the visible light spectrum, appearing as a brilliant white flame. Other metals may produce colored flames depending on the specific atoms and the energy transitions involved in their combustion, but magnesium's intense white flame is particularly distinctive and easily recognizable.