The Chemistry In Fireworks

In fireworks, the sounds and amazing lights are results of chemical reactions happening inside the fireworks. Combustion is what’s propelling the firework up in the air, and oxidization, which is the reaction where oxidizers are reacting with stars.

Oxidization

Oxidizers produce the oxygen gas to burn the mixture of reducing agents. They also charge the atoms of the light-emitting compounds. The most common oxidizers are nitrates and chlorates. Reducing agents and oxidizers can be found in the black powder and stars inside the fireworks. The oxidizers combine with the reducing agents to produce energy for explosion, which is the sounds and bright designs.

Equation

Potassium Chlorate yields Potassium Chloride and Oxygen Gas

2 KClO₃   ---------->   2 KCl + 3 O₂

Fireworks At London New Years 2011

Interesting Facts About Fireworks

• The first fireworks were made in China around 2000 years ago, known as Chinese crackers
• They’re still used in China to celebrate and scare away the evil spirits
• The word for fireworks in Japanese means “fire flower”
• Half of all firework accidents happened to children under the age of 16
• Throwing a firework in a street or public place is a criminal offence
• The world’s largest single firework was set off at a festival in Japan and the shell weighed over half a tonne and the burst was over a kilometre across
• At first the only colours that could be produced by fireworks were orange and white
• A rocket can reach speeds of 150mph, although the shell can reach as high as 200 metres
• The world record for the most fireworks set off all at once was set in New Jersey on August 15^th 1997 when 39,210 rockets were launched

How Do Fireworks Work?

Fireworks have different compartments. First there is the aerial shell, and this has the different types of powered metals, such as lithium carbonate, copper (I) chloride, calcium chloride, and etc. Also different metals will affect the colour of the firework.  Second the lifting shell, it’s attached to the bottom of the aerial shell, and this helps launch the firework by the compressed air. Third, the fuse is the wire that is hanging outside of the tube/ casing, and it’s connected to the around the base of the lifting shell. After, it will be placed into a tube, and it’s ready to be launched. The fireworks will be propelled into the air and later explode in a suitable distance away from the people.

What Are Fireworks Used For?

Nowadays, we use fireworks in our society for entertainment and for other special celebrations, such as New Years. They enlighten the spirit and the atmosphere and make events joyous. There are also fireworks competitions to see the best and staggering array of colourful lights. The four effects of fireworks are noise, light, smoke and floating materials.