How Fireworks Work - How It Works

Table of Contents

What are Fireworks

You are quite familiar with fireworks - bright lights scattering in the sky. You might have seen fireworks in real life too. Wondering how it actually works? What causes it to fly high and produce different colors? So, here is a simple explanation of what are fireworks and how they work.

A rocket in its simplest form. Fireworks are packets of chemicals that explode when lit. A fuse in the rocket ensures the explosion is delayed. Chemicals in the nose of the rocket explode to produce colors, while the shape of the firework depends upon the construction of the firework’s shell and the arrangement of the exploding stars

History of Fireworks

You might be wondering who invented fireworks. It is believed that the first natural "firecrackers" were bamboo stalks that when thrown in a fire, would explode with a bang because of the overheating of the hollow air pockets in the bamboo. It’s thought that the first fireworks were used in China more than 2,000 years ago. They were used in religious ceremonies and to celebrate New Year. The Chinese believed these natural "firecrackers" would ward off evil spirits.

Components of  Fireworks

Fireworks are made up of following components:

1. Launch tube

In big displays, fireworks are put inside metal tubes or launch tubes. These stay on the ground, while the rocket flies to the sky.

2. Fuse 

Fuse paper contains chemicals that burn steadily, allowing time for a person to stand back after lighting. This is the part that starts the main part of the firework burning and ignites other, smaller fuses that make the interesting, colorful parts of the firework explode some time later.

3. Propellant 

Inside the cardboard case, gunpowder burns quickly to shoot the rocket skyward. It's usually made up of tightly packed, coarse explosive gunpowder also known as black powder.

4. Gun powder 

Explosive gunpowder is stored in a chamber inside the firework., which is responsible for the loud sound and the spread of stars.

5. Stars 

The gunpowder is mixed with stars. Stars are the chemical mixtures that make a firework’s flashes of color.

Firework patterns 

Manufacturers also use multi-break shells that have different compartments inside them, often with stars of various colors and compositions. When these are placed and fused in a specific order, they will explode in sequence to create recognizable patterns and shapes in the sky. 

Here are six firework patterns to look out for next time you go to a firework display.

Ring shell - a bright, expanding ring of stars.
Palm trees - stars move up as a “trunk,” then spread out as “branches.”
Chrysanthemum - a pattern that leaves long trails of stars.
Serpentine - many stars that zigzag outward as they fall
Fish - a swarm of stars moving randomly across the sky
Willow - in this, star trails fall nearly all the way to the ground.

How fireworks get their colors?

Fireworks contain metallic salts which then make fireworks produce different colors.

Purple is made from strontium salts and copper.
Red comes from lithium salts
Orange flashes are created by calcium salts.
Yellow color comes from sodium compounds.
Green lights are made using barium compounds.
Blue flashes come from copper compounds.

How Hi-tech Modern Firework displays work?

Firework displays that you often see on TV on big events are often run by computers. The computer sends an electric spark down a wire to light each fuse. It makes fireworks launch in the right order and explode at their highest points in the sky.

Frequently Asked Questions on Fireworks:

Question: Can Fireworks go out of date?

Answer: Generally, fireworks can last several years. In some cases, they can remain safe and effective for up to eight years. 

Question: Are fireworks bad for environment?

Answer: Yes, Fireworks propel a cocktail of chemicals into the atmosphere, many of which can harm both people and the environment.

Question: Can fireworks cause fire?

Answer: Yes, fireworks can cause fire as they are explosive in nature.

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