Fireworks Chemistry

One of the signs of a chemical change is that sound is produced. The oxygen, fire and hydrogen react together, creating a popping noise (this is the hydrogen combusting).

Combustion Reaction: A chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent that produces heat.

The pyrotechnics that ignited the fire were designed to spray sparks 15 feet for 15 seconds. The two that were mounted at outward angles ignited foam that had

In a combustion reaction, a compound or element reacts with oxygen, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of light and heat.

When we see fireworks explode, what we’re actually seeing is the explosion of components inside the aerial shell. The aerial shell is made up of gunpowder and stars, small lumps that are comprised of fuel, an oxidizing agent, a metal-containing colorant, and a binder. These stars are what give the fireworks their colors. (De Antonis, pg 8). The metal-containing colorant produces the color when it’s exposed to a flame (in this case, the ignition of the gunpowder) then the fuel and oxidizing agent combine to create a chemical reaction that yields powerful heat and gas (De Antonis, pg 8).The binder holds all these ingredients together when the firework explodes. When the fuse at the bottom of a firework is lit, the energy propels it upwards until

"Boom! Pow! Sounds that are immediately followed by Ahh's and cheers. For most of us these sounds are all too familiar at annual 4th of July firework celebrations. However, what would a 4th of July celebration be without the glimmering colors of our nation. People all over our country are able to share in the excitement of fireworks partly due to the effects of one element. The glow of a child’s face from “Glow in the dark” paint is able to work - again- because of the effects of one element. However, the feelings of happiness and pleasure are not constricted to only the red glow of paints and flares. This amazing element is also able to bring pleasure and

After we created the firework masterpieces, I tried to explain to my son that we would see lots of fireworks over the weekend. I told him they would make loud “kaboom” sounds and have so many pretty colors, just like his paintings. He was so happy about the idea but still confused at the same time so I showed him a few videos on Youtube. His face lit up when he saw the fireworks bursting along to music in the videos. He would look wide-eyed at the video & then point to his paintings while shouting “Fah-wurk! Fah-wurk!”. Hopefully this will be a nice introduction to this holiday's loud spectacle. Last year he was too small to understand or even be afraid of the explosive sounds. This year I’m hoping he enjoys the beauty and excitement of the fireworks like I did as a young boy and still do to this

In a Chinese ritual, tubes made of bamboo filled with gunpowder were thrown into a fire for explosions. After this, gunpowder and tubes have been used for celebrations. As rockets became more advanced, these “fireworks” became more advanced, with more shapes and sizes.

Fireworks release an immense amount of chemicals, and have a great amount reactions happen. The reducing agents, sulfur and carbon, combine with the oxygen from the oxidizers to produce the energy of the explosion. Nitrates are usually not used in star explosions, because reactions of nitrates do not produce a temperature high enough to energize many of the more colorful metal salts.In the 1830’s Italian fireworks makers found a group of more explosive oxidizers, which produced temperatures of 1700 to 2000 celcius and made possible the creation of much more intense colors. Unlike nitrate-containing compounds that produce a relatively slow burning rate, the oxidation by chlorates produces a much faster detonation an explosion. The oxygen released

A chemical reaction is a process in which elements or compounds react with one another to create new or different substances. There are two parts to a reaction. Those two parts are the products and the reactants. The reactants are the chemicals or chemical compounds that are going through the reaction itself. The products are chemical elements or chemical compounds that are produced as a result of the reactant or reactants reacting. There are four key indications that there’s a chemical reaction is taking place. Those four signs include a change in color and/or odor, formation of a precipitate or a gas, the release or absorption of energy (light, heat, electricity), and if the reaction is irreversible. Along with this information, there are ways to predict the products of a reaction.

Don't trust atoms, they make up everything. This is true for the reaction witnessed in the combustion of fireworks. These pretty colours and lights are the result of a chemical reaction occurring, that ignites the firework and turns into a colourful flame. This phenomenon can be tested inside a laboratory using similar circumstances to that of a firework in the air. The test involves using chemicals, similar to what is seen in fireworks and burning those chemicals under a blue flame, which burns at 1500C. The purpose of this experiment was to observe the characteristic flame colours produced by the metal salts burned under a blue flame.

A combustion reaction is when a substance is combined with oxygen and releases heat and light energy. An example of a combustion reaction is the combustion of hydrogen. When a balloon with oxygen and hydrogen is supplied with heat by a candle, it triggers an explosive

Any ignition source such as an open flame, cigarette or electric spark could potentially ignite this flammable atmosphere to the point of flash fire or explosion.

Now that you understand how fireworks vary in chemical make up, I will describe the strengths and legalities of fireworks.

There is an old-line of the Chinese fireworks, which is tightly combined with varieties of celebrations and festivals in China. Especially, Liuyang is known as “the home of fireworks and firecrackers” and good at making varieties of fireworks. And fireworks and firecrackers has become the pillar industry of Liuyang.