Why do campfires appear orange or yellow?

Answer: Hot soot particles glow orange-yellow at campfire temperatures

Hot soot particles glow orange-yellow at campfire temperatures ✓ — Correct! Flame color depends on temperature and combustion completeness. Campfires (~1000-1200°C) have incomplete combustion—producing glowing carbon particles (soot). Hot soot emits blackbody radiation peaking in orange-yellow (~600-650nm). Hotter, complete combustion produces blue flames (~1400°C, like gas stoves). Temperature = color: red (~800°C), orange (~1000°C), yellow (~1200°C), blue (>1400°C)!

Flames mirror the orange glow of surrounding embers — Wrong. Flames don't reflect—they emit light. Orange/yellow color is from hot carbon particles radiating light at those wavelengths due to their temperature.

Burning wood releases orange pigments stored in its fibers — Wrong. Wood pigments don't determine flame color. Orange/yellow comes from hot carbon particles (soot) emitting blackbody radiation at that temperature.