Fireworks & Pyrotechnics
Learn about the chemistry and physics of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices. There are also sites for organizations, books, journals, safety, firework and explosive manufacturing, and other relevant topics.
Chemistry of Firework Colors
Fireworks combine art and science. Learn about the chemistry behind firework colors, including the mechanisms of color production and a table listing colorants.
Fireworks combine art and science. Learn about the chemistry behind firework colors, including the mechanisms of color production and a table listing colorants.
How Fireworks Work
Firecrackers, sparklers, and aerial fireworks are all examples of fireworks. Here's a look at the different types of fireworks and an explanation of how they work.
Firecrackers, sparklers, and aerial fireworks are all examples of fireworks. Here's a look at the different types of fireworks and an explanation of how they work.
Firework Periodic Table
Use this special periodic table to find out what elements are found in fireworks and how they are used. Just click on an element to learn more.
Use this special periodic table to find out what elements are found in fireworks and how they are used. Just click on an element to learn more.
History of Fireworks
Fireworks are a traditional part of most Independence Day and New Year's celebrations. Learn about the invention of fireworks and the history behind how fireworks are used.
Fireworks are a traditional part of most Independence Day and New Year's celebrations. Learn about the invention of fireworks and the history behind how fireworks are used.
Smoke Bomb Instructions
You can easily make a smoke bomb using inexpensive materials to produce safe smoke.
You can easily make a smoke bomb using inexpensive materials to produce safe smoke.
Sparkler Instructions
Learn how to make your own sparklers, for Independence Day or New Years Day fun. Use your understanding of chemistry to color the sparks.
Learn how to make your own sparklers, for Independence Day or New Years Day fun. Use your understanding of chemistry to color the sparks.
How to Light Fireworks Safely
Here are some tips to help you light your fireworks safely.
Here are some tips to help you light your fireworks safely.
Black Powder or Gunpowder Facts
Black powder is used as a propellant for bullets, as well as for fireworks and rocketry. Use these instructions for history, not practical application!
Black powder is used as a propellant for bullets, as well as for fireworks and rocketry. Use these instructions for history, not practical application!
Black Snakes or Glow Worms
You can make black snake or glow worm fireworks yourself, safely and easily.
You can make black snake or glow worm fireworks yourself, safely and easily.
Fireworks Photo Gallery
Take a look at some fireworks, sparklers, firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
Take a look at some fireworks, sparklers, firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
Fire & Flames Photo Gallery
Fire and flames are the visible result of combustion. Usually they consist of light and hot gases. Here's a look at some fire, flames, and pyrotechnics.
Fire and flames are the visible result of combustion. Usually they consist of light and hot gases. Here's a look at some fire, flames, and pyrotechnics.
Colored Smoke Recipes
Colored smoke is easy to make and requires few ingredients. Here's a list of some colored smoke formulations to try.
Colored smoke is easy to make and requires few ingredients. Here's a list of some colored smoke formulations to try.
Can a Candle Burn in Zero Gravity?
Can a candle burn in the absence of gravity? Here's the answer to this frequently asked question about fire.
Can a candle burn in the absence of gravity? Here's the answer to this frequently asked question about fire.
Classic Chemical Volcano
Here are the instructions for making the classic chemical volcano. This demonstration uses ammonium dichromate to produce 'Vesuvius fire', with glowing sparks and a cone of deep green ash.
Here are the instructions for making the classic chemical volcano. This demonstration uses ammonium dichromate to produce 'Vesuvius fire', with glowing sparks and a cone of deep green ash.
Elements in Fireworks
Learn about the functions of the chemical elements in fireworks.
Learn about the functions of the chemical elements in fireworks.
Fireball Instructions
If you can find a tee shirt and some lighter fluid, you can make small fireballs. These fireballs are re-useable. Theoretically, you can hold them in your hand.
If you can find a tee shirt and some lighter fluid, you can make small fireballs. These fireballs are re-useable. Theoretically, you can hold them in your hand.
Green Fire Halloween Jack-o-Lantern
A Halloween jack-o-lantern filled with green fire is much more impressive than one lit with the usual candle. Here's how to produce this easy effect yourself.
A Halloween jack-o-lantern filled with green fire is much more impressive than one lit with the usual candle. Here's how to produce this easy effect yourself.
Green Fire Instructions
It's easy to make brilliant green fire. This cool chemistry project only takes two household chemicals.
It's easy to make brilliant green fire. This cool chemistry project only takes two household chemicals.
History of Matches
Fire may have been around since the dawn of civilization, but matches are a fairly recent invention. Learn about the somewhat gruesome history of the chemical or friction match and how antimony and phosphorus are used to start fire.
Fire may have been around since the dawn of civilization, but matches are a fairly recent invention. Learn about the somewhat gruesome history of the chemical or friction match and how antimony and phosphorus are used to start fire.
How Do Safety Matches Work?
Learn about how safety matches work and why they are considered 'safe'.
Learn about how safety matches work and why they are considered 'safe'.
How Do Sparklers Work?
This type of firework produces a cascade of fiery sparks. Learn about the chemistry behind the sparks or find formulae to make your own!
This type of firework produces a cascade of fiery sparks. Learn about the chemistry behind the sparks or find formulae to make your own!
How To Color Fire
Have you ever wanted to color fire? Here are simple, nontechnical instructions for making your own colored flames. Add extra interest to your fireplace or campfire!
Have you ever wanted to color fire? Here are simple, nontechnical instructions for making your own colored flames. Add extra interest to your fireplace or campfire!
How to Make Black Powder or Gunpower
Black powder is used in fireworks and pyrotechnics. It's easy to get, but if you are a real do-it-yourself type, here is how to make it.
Black powder is used in fireworks and pyrotechnics. It's easy to get, but if you are a real do-it-yourself type, here is how to make it.
Red Fire Instructions
Red fire is easy to produce. This is a classic color for sparklers and fireworks as well as holiday parties. It would also be a cheery coloration for a campfire or fireplace.
Red fire is easy to produce. This is a classic color for sparklers and fireworks as well as holiday parties. It would also be a cheery coloration for a campfire or fireplace.
Safe Smoke Bomb Instructions
A classic smoke bomb is easy to make and safe to use, but you can make the project even safer if you don't heat the ingredients. Here's what you do.
A classic smoke bomb is easy to make and safe to use, but you can make the project even safer if you don't heat the ingredients. Here's what you do.
Smoking Fingers Trick
Make your fingers smoke when you rub them together and glow in the dark. All you need is a matchbox and a way to burn the striker portion.
Make your fingers smoke when you rub them together and glow in the dark. All you need is a matchbox and a way to burn the striker portion.
Violet Fire
It's very simple to make violet or purple fire. All you need are two easy-to-find ingredients.
It's very simple to make violet or purple fire. All you need are two easy-to-find ingredients.
What is the State of Matter of Fire?
What is the state of matter of fire or flame? Is it a liquid, solid, or gas? Learn the answer to this question and get information about the chemistry of fire.
What is the state of matter of fire or flame? Is it a liquid, solid, or gas? Learn the answer to this question and get information about the chemistry of fire.
Brief History of Rockets
NASA provides this history of rockets (and fireworks). The article has links to a rocket activity page and to many, many aeronautical resources.
NASA provides this history of rockets (and fireworks). The article has links to a rocket activity page and to many, many aeronautical resources.
Crackerjacks, Inc. Fireworks Club
This club's homepage includes club information, a library, photo gallery, movie theater, and links.
This club's homepage includes club information, a library, photo gallery, movie theater, and links.
efg's Fireworks, Half a Dozen Pi's, and the Fourth of July
This site describes how to estimate how big firework bursts are in the sky. There are instructions for constructing your own astrolabe and links to relevant websites.
This site describes how to estimate how big firework bursts are in the sky. There are instructions for constructing your own astrolabe and links to relevant websites.
Fireworks: The Science Behind the Spectacle
This Thinkquest site offers sections on the physics, chemistry, construction, and history of fireworks. The site is available in English or Spanish.
This Thinkquest site offers sections on the physics, chemistry, construction, and history of fireworks. The site is available in English or Spanish.
How do fireworks work?
This is a response to a question about how fireworks work, from the MadSci Network. The answer is concise and non-technical.
This is a response to a question about how fireworks work, from the MadSci Network. The answer is concise and non-technical.
Larry Crump's Fireworks Pages
Larry, a licensed pyrotechnician, offers a comprehensive website about fireworks, including a virtual visit to a fireworks factory, safety information, numerous photographs, pyrotechnician information, links, and many additional resources.
Larry, a licensed pyrotechnician, offers a comprehensive website about fireworks, including a virtual visit to a fireworks factory, safety information, numerous photographs, pyrotechnician information, links, and many additional resources.
National Council on Fireworks Safety, The
The Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to safe enjoyment of fireworks in the US. The site includes safety information, a virtual safety classroom, statistics, fire service information, news, a members' section, and donation information.
The Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to safe enjoyment of fireworks in the US. The site includes safety information, a virtual safety classroom, statistics, fire service information, news, a members' section, and donation information.
Physics of Coloured Fireworks, The
This article discusses the physical principles of pyrotechnic light production, especially as it affects color. A high school education is sufficient to understand the concepts and terminology.
This article discusses the physical principles of pyrotechnic light production, especially as it affects color. A high school education is sufficient to understand the concepts and terminology.
Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc.
The Guild's homepage offers information about membership, conventions and other events, safety, and links.
The Guild's homepage offers information about membership, conventions and other events, safety, and links.
Science World: Fireworks Grow Up!
Nicole Dyer's article discusses fireworks from the perspective of the year 2000 millenium celebrations. The article briefly describes how modern fireworks work.
Nicole Dyer's article discusses fireworks from the perspective of the year 2000 millenium celebrations. The article briefly describes how modern fireworks work.
Shooting Fireworks: Capture the Spectacle
Smithsonian photographers offer tips on photographing fireworks, including advice on selecting the location and timing the exposure.
Smithsonian photographers offer tips on photographing fireworks, including advice on selecting the location and timing the exposure.
UK Firework Review
This site posts reviews of fireworks available in the UK. There are also features, suggestions for best buys, display and safety information, a gallery, and supplier list.
This site posts reviews of fireworks available in the UK. There are also features, suggestions for best buys, display and safety information, a gallery, and supplier list.
Whoosh...Bang! Happy New Year
The Alaska Science Forum, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks provides this article, which briefly describes the chemistry of firework colors.
The Alaska Science Forum, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks provides this article, which briefly describes the chemistry of firework colors.
Wouter's Practical Pyrotechnics Page
Wouter Vissel's page offers information about its author, starting a pyrotechnics hobby, chemicals, tools, formulae, device components, instructions for finished devices, and links.
Wouter Vissel's page offers information about its author, starting a pyrotechnics hobby, chemicals, tools, formulae, device components, instructions for finished devices, and links.
Chemistry of Firework Colors
Fireworks combine art and science. This article focuses on the chemistry behind firework colors, including the mechanisms of color production and a table listing colorants. There are links to websites about fireworks - some with instructions for making your own!
Fireworks combine art and science. This article focuses on the chemistry behind firework colors, including the mechanisms of color production and a table listing colorants. There are links to websites about fireworks - some with instructions for making your own!