Why is there green flame when you burn magazines?

The green flame you observe when burning magazines is a result of the inks used in the printing process. Many inks used in magazines, especially those for text and illustrations, contain compounds called copper phthalocyanines. These compounds emit a bright greenish light when heated, giving rise to the green flames.

Copper phthalocyanines are complex organic molecules that contain copper atoms at the center of a phthalocyanine ring structure. This structure is responsible for the characteristic blue-green color of these compounds. When burned, the copper atoms in these molecules become excited and emit light in the green part of the spectrum. The intensity and duration of the green flame depend on the amount and concentration of copper phthalocyanines in the magazine paper.

It's worth noting that not all magazines produce a green flame when burned. Some may have a different ink composition or use non-copper-based inks, resulting in flames of different colors or without a noticeable color.