How Do Fireworks Work? With STEM!

How do fireworks work? With STEM! Let’s take a look at the chemistry behind fireworks. And while we’re at it, let’s look at the history of fireworks, too.

FAILED STEM SCIENCE PROJECT!

As you can see above, I attempted a STEM science experiment in honor of July 4th! I attempted to create a black snake. When baking soda and powdered sugar react with heat, they create carbon dioxide and a cool black snake. At least the experiment smells like burned marshmallows!

I used kerosine and it gets, uh, hot! I decided against posting the ingredients after I ended up with a huge scorch mark on our deck. This is not an ideal STEM science project for kids. Heck, it’s not a good project unless you want to anger your significant other w/ deck damage. You can purchase a safer STEM version! Here’s what the experiment should look like when under control.

HOW DO FIREWORKS WORK?

So how do fireworks work, exactly? Fireworks are chemical reactions! Let’s look at the STEM behind fireworks.

For fireworks to work, they require three key components: an oxidizer, a fuel, and a chemical mixture to produce the color. The oxidizer breaks the chemical bonds in the fuel, releasing all the potential energy that’s stored in those bonds. To ignite this chemical reaction, all you need is a bit of fire, in the form of a fuse or a direct flame.

Each firework is made of a tube that contains gunpower and dozens of pods. Inside the pods are packs of chemicals. The metal salts and metal oxides create the colors! Each pod inside one of the tubes creates a dot of color in the fireworks explosion. Imagine how many pods there are!

HISTORY OF FIREWORKS

How did people come up with fireworks in the first place?

According to the American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation, around 800 A.D., Chinese alchemists mixed together saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal and created gunpowder. They were actually looking for a recipe for eternal life, but they still changed the world with their invention! They used it to scare away evil spirits. So they were more focused on the noise factor.

The Smithsonian website states that Europeans were introduced to gun power during the Crusades in the 13th century, not by Marco Polo. (although he usually gets credited with this) I thought so, too. Good thing I looked this up before our next Trivia Night!

COLOR CHEMISTRY IS COOL AND STEM-WORTHY

It seems obvious that heat sets off the fireworks. Heat is also what starts the chemical reaction of the substances inside the tubes. When heat is needed to drive a reaction, this is called an endothermic reaction.Heat excites the electrons of the metal salts and metal oxides and causes them to jump to a higher energy level. When the electrons go back to their original state, they release excess energy. Our eyes see the energy as wavelengths of light.

ELEMENTS FOR KIDS
The different elements in the chemical compounds release different amounts of energy. To us, that means different colors!

For red, add lithium (Li).

For yellow, add sodium (Na) compounds.

For blue, add copper chloride compounds.

For green, you actually add barium. (not listed above)

For purple, add a mixture of blue-producing copper and red-producing strontium. (Sr)

For orange, add calcium salts. (CaCl2)

For white and silver, add aluminum, magnesium, or titanium. 

TYPES OF LIGHT

 This type of light is called luminescence.

Luminescence is light that is given off when electrons in elements move around. This happens at lower temperatures than incandescence. hence the term, ‘cold light.’

This can happen via a chemical reaction, stress on crystal structures, an electric current passing through a certain substance, or if energy such as UV light passes through a substance.

Incandescence is light produced when objects are hot enough to glow. So it is also called ‘hot light.’ Example candle glowing, or match.

PERIODIC TABLE AND EXCITED ELEMENTS (They must love STEM)

In case you’re interested, I colored in a periodic table with the elements that have electrons that excite and jump levels, producing colors.

If you want instructions or advice about the black worm, use the ‘contact me’ page. I had several fails, so I’ve got ideas about how to succeed with this one. I promise I’ll get back to you!

Don’t think the black worm going to make it into the book, though.

Here’s to clear skies! Enjoy the fireworks! 

My budding youtube channel is here! 

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