Lava's color is primarily determined by its temperature, which affects the light it emits.
Lava Color and Temperature
The color of lava is not constant; it changes as it cools. This change is directly linked to the temperature of the lava:
- Lower Temperatures: At relatively lower temperatures, around 475°C, lava appears a dark red. This is because it emits longer wavelength light.
- Medium Temperatures: As lava heats up to about 900°C, its color shifts to an orange.
- Extremely High Temperatures: At very high temperatures, around 1150°C, lava can even appear white due to the very energetic light it emits.
Here is a simplified breakdown of the relationship between temperature and color:
| Temperature (°C) | Color |
|---|---|
| 475 | Dark Red |
| 900 | Orange |
| 1150 | White |
These temperature points are general guidelines; the exact temperature at which color changes may slightly vary based on the lava's composition. However, the general trend remains the same: hotter lava appears brighter and shifts towards the white end of the light spectrum.
Understanding the Science
When objects are heated, they begin to emit light. This is known as black-body radiation. The wavelength of this light depends on the temperature of the object. At lower temperatures, the light is emitted primarily in the red part of the spectrum, which is why lava appears red at relatively lower temperatures. As temperature increases, more light is emitted, and the peak shifts toward shorter wavelengths, resulting in the lava appearing orange, and eventually white at extremely high temperatures.
In summary, lava is red when its temperature is relatively low, as is referenced by (Kilburn, 2000).
