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Firework Chemistry

Dateline: 07/03/00

By Alan Bruzel

Structure of Fireworks

Fireworks are cylindrical rockets; the lift charge is at the bottom and a pyrotechnic payload (containing pellets known as "stars") is at the top. The venerable black powder, with a composition much like that first used by the Chinese in their rockets (before 1000 A.D.), is still used today, both as the lift charge and as the means of igniting the stars. It is prepared by ball milling 75 parts of potassium nitrate with 15 parts of charcoal and 10 parts of sulfur. A fuse connects the lift charge to more black powder nestled next to the stars.

Color in Fireworks

Color in fireworks results from incandescence and atomic emission. Incandescence is a result of heating a material until it glows. In atomic emission, the energy from high temperatures moves an element's ground state electron to a higher energy electron orbit. When the element cools, this excited state electron returns to its ground state, releasing energy in the form of light.

New compounds from the growth of the chemical industry over the last two hundred years improved the impact of the fireworks display. Addition of higher energy oxidizers such as chlorates and perchlorates gives higher temperatures than the classic black powder. These temperatures then drive atomic emission and incandescent phenomena.

Elements have distinctive emission spectra, and thus yield characteristic colors when heated. Stars in the firework's payload incorporate these elements as their inorganic salts. Strontium salts yield red colors, calcium salts yield orange colors, sodium salts yield yellow colors, barium salts yield green colors, and copper salts yield blue colors. Dazzling white light is produced by the incandescence of burning magnesium or aluminum metal.

What the Web Has to Say about:
Firework Chemistry

Chemical Impact: Fireworks
Description of firework ingredients and their purposes. Chemistry chapter from Zumdahl Online.

Chemistry of Fireworks
Structure of fireworks and color displays generated. From Canada's SchoolNet GrassRoots Program.

Chemistry of Fireworks
History and components of these devices. From Rebecca Holland, University of Bristol.

Fireworks
The elements responsible for colors in fireworks. From Newton BBS.

Fireworks - Chemistry Behind the Spectacle
How pyrotechnic experts construct shells and fill them with firework components. From ThinkQuest.

Journal of Pyrotechnics
Specializing in fireworks and special effects research.

Kaboom!
Breakdown of what goes into fireworks, and where. From Nova Online.

Light, Color and Pyrotechnics
Brief introduction to history, chemistry, and photography of fireworks. From Charles Vadovic, Houston Community College System.

Practical Pyrotechnics
Preparing fireworks: from propellants to fire, color, and smoke effects. From Wouter Visser.

Pyrotechnics - A Basic Course
The business and the chemistry of fireworks displays. From Karri Hi-Fire.

Pyrotechnics Guild International
Organization of amateur and professional firework enthusiasts.

Pyrotechnics - The Art of Fire
Includes background on producing dramatic lights and colors. From Petri Pihko.

Whoosh...Bang! Happy New Year
Chemicals responsible for the colors in fireworks. From the Alaska Science Forum.

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