What is The Chemistry of Fireworks?

Exploding fireworks happen when several chemical reactions take place one after the next. The addition of heat to the fireworks causes the firework to be activated that triggers a chemical reaction. When the chemical compounds contained within the firework burn with oxygen they convert into other gasses such as carbon monoxide nitrogen, and carbon dioxide as smoke that is produced by the gases that are released from fireworks.

What is it that makes Fireworks to explode in different colours?

The colors are produced by the use of metal salts in the fireworks. Metal salts commonly used in fireworks are strontium carbonate (red fireworks) and calcium chloride (orange fireworks) sodium Nitrate (yellow fireworks), barium chloride (green fireworks) and copper chloride (the blue fireworks). The fireworks that are purple are typically made by mixing strontium (red) and copper (blue)

When a firework goes off and ignited, it is then pushed to the air by a lift charge. This is all black and explosive in a tight space that ignites, causing an immediate heat and gas increase that can launch a firework up to 1000 feet (300 metres) in the air.

What Are The Physics of Fireworks?

The solid substances that are compressed into the cardboard packaging do not necessarily change their arrangement into other substances: the majority of the energy that is stored within them is transformed into four different forms of energy (light energy, heat, kinetic energy, sound and heat).

In accordance with the fundamental law of physics called energy conservation (one of the main and fundamental rules of science that govern the functioning of the universe), the cumulative chemical energy that is packed into the fireworks before it ignites must be exactly the same as the amount of energy remaining after it has exploded, plus the energy emitted as sound, heat, motion and light.

Furthermore, Physics also demonstrates why a firework springs into the air. Its charge is not much more than that of rockets. When it explodes, much the same way as an air rocket or jet engine the firework is triggered by reaction-and-action (this is also called Newton’s third law of motion). As soon as the powder burns in the charge it releases the hot exhaust gases, which then fire backwards. The energy produced by combustion gases that are fired backwards is like the blast that comes out from a rocket engine. It produces an equal and counter-reactive “reactive” force that sends the fireworks up, and then flies through the air.

When you look through the different pictures of the firework on this page, you’ll see another piece of fascinating physics happening too. You can see how fireworks produce uniform blasts of colour? If one portion of the fireworks going left, the other part will go right. You never see a firework with all stars going to the left or more blasts from the left side than to the right: The blasts are still perfect.
Why is this? It’s due to another fundamental law of physics known as momentum conservation.

The firework’s energy should be equal before it is ignited and also after an explosion. Moreover, the explosions need to be accurately offset by the right explosion.

The Top Fireworks for Beginning Fireworkers

If you’re new at the entire launch your own firework thing , it’s best to start your first experiments with smaller fireworks, like catherine wheels and repeaters. Here’s a few of our most popular fireworks for beginners.

Angel Dust Fireworks

Angel dust fireworks, once illuminated, shoot out thousands of jaw dropping stars. They are also relatively silent, which is great if you have fussy neighbours.

If you’re looking to enjoy some amazing fireworks, but don’t want to risk setting up and launching rockets it’s a good idea to look into barrage packs. THey can be lit and left, and they’ll go up one after another, offering a stunning illumination show.

Strike A Rose Firework

This stunningly quiet display of firework produces a super cool display of light with little effort for the consumer. Simply set it up, flick the flame and watch the show! It’s a fireworks show with an effect called a crossette. It’s as a star and splits into four stars in a cross like shape.