Fireworks are among the most well-known signals of celebrations in our society. It doesn’t matter if it’s a anniversary, birthday or public event, fireworks never ever fail to make an appearance. We are able to see and appreciate fireworks all the time however, how do we understand fireworks? Other than that, they create beautiful patterns and colours on the night sky. There’s a lot to know about these amazing works of art and we’ll explore the science and history behind fireworks.
What exactly are fireworks and what is their history?
Fireworks are an artistic pyrotechnics that are classified as low explosive (despite how we think of them). They are known for their vibrant colors and loud sounds They have become an integral part of our society , with fireworks being widespread in some regions around the globe.
The origins of the bamboo stems are from China in the Song Dynasty, they were utilized in the same way as we do today, to mark important occasions. They were typically in the form of bamboo stems that were explosive that were thrown in the air.
At the time fireworks were restricted in terms of type and color because of the materials available and the general knowledge of fireworks. The 14th century saw chemicals were added to early fireworks in order to give them colour which were very beneficial to signal smoke for military use. It was also the time that fireworks made their ways into Europe and were able to be used in conjunction with recipes gathered by some Europeans who were living in China during the time.
It was not till the end of 17th century when fireworks started to become well-known and, even then, the difficulties of getting chemicals and materials meant it wasn’t until the 20th century that they were readily available in all varieties.
Different types of fireworks
The most popular types of fireworks are:
Catherine Wheels
The name is derived from the saint Catherine of Alexandria who was sentenced to death by an executioner’s wheel, and when she touched it, the wheel broke into pieces. Because these fireworks explode into a wheel of flaming sparks and rotating sparks when they are ignited, the name is incredibly fitting.
Smoke Bombs
Smoke Bombs are fireworks that release smoke clouds once they are ignited.
Barrages and Firework Cakes
They are fireworks with many tubes and include several Roman Candles or aerial shells connected by an extremely fast fuse. They produce long-lasting explosions that are breathtaking.
Fountains
Perhaps one of the most well-known fireworks, ground-based fireworks which explode into stars and sparks with whistling and crackling sound.
Roman Candles
Traditional firework that appears like a long tube that ignites stars and other explosive shells into colorful ball of lights.
Rockets
Popular in the current generation they are usually designed in the form of rockets that shoot through the air at high speed, often generating an intense whooshing sound which can cause a massive explosion.
What is the mechanism behind fireworks? The science behind fireworks
To give a firework the intended effect, it needs an array of chemical reactions that typically occur repeatedly in a short amount of time. When you add heating to this equation, the firework turns into an catalyst for a chemical reaction , in which the solid components in the firework start to ignite when they are exposed to carbon dioxide in air. The resulting chemical reaction transforms into a variety of chemical compounds, and creates gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
You might want to know what causes the colors in fireworks, and again, the wonder of science could explain the mystery for all of us. The colors in fireworks originate from various metal compounds that are present in the fireworks. When they burn, they emit various colours based on the chemical.
A few early Chinese recipes to create different colors include Calcium compounds to create the red color, Lead carbonate for a Lilac hue and Copper Acetate for green, Mercurous Chloride to create white, and Arsenical Sulphide to create yellow hues.
Since then, we’ve discovered new methods of getting these colors, which include: Strontium salts for red and calcium salts for orange, sodium salts for the yellow hue, barium salts to green, copper salts for blue copper and Strontium compounds for red, white-hot Magnesium and aluminium for silver, and other burning metals such as Magnesium to white.
The reason they can fly through the air at such high speeds is due to the hot gas that is released when the firework is ignited. Rapid release the gas creates a significant pressure, which propels the firework in the opposite direction of the hot gas that is released.
Future of firework displays
Because of the popularity of firework displays, their usage in our modern society has seen innovative methods of lighting displays become popular as a form of competition.
As witnessed during Shanghai’s 2021 New Year celebrations, it appears that we are in an era of drone technology is now an alternative to fireworks when performing celebrations.
But, they don’t get the full beauty of fireworks. Although they’re beautiful but there’s something about the fire and the variety of colors that make fireworks science unbeatable. This is why there is no doubt that fireworks will continue to be an integral part of the culture around the world.
