Chemistry Presentation - The Chemistry of Fireworks

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THE

CHEMISTRY OF
FIREWORKS
Where it all began

The discovery of fireworks is believed to have


occurred approximately 2,000 years ago in China.

It is thought that a Chinese cook accidentally mixed


three common kitchen ingredients…
KNO3 SULFUR CHARCOAL

These were heated over a fire and dried to give a


black flaky powder which burned with a loud bang
when ignited. This crude, early mixture has come to
be known in our modern world today as gun powder.
ITEM OF PEACE OR WAR? (1)
Within 100 years the Chinese had developed fire
arrows and other such firearms from the explosive.

Roger Bacon an English Scholar realized that Salt


Peter (KNO3) was the key to the explosive power.

In 1560, European Chemists made gunpowder as


explosive as possible by developing a new kind of
ratio proportion…
ITEM OF PEACE OR WAR? (2)
The final proportion was set as follows:
These ratios are still used today after 500 years

‘Saltpeter’
SULFUR CHARCOAL
KNO3
10% 15%
75%

It was the Italians who made Fireworks what they are


today
Aerial shells that launched upward and exploded into a
fountain of color, lighting up the night sky
The evolution of Fireworks
For nearly 2,000 years, the only colours fireworks
could produce were yellows and oranges
Using steel and charcoal.

In the 19th Century, pyro-technicians developed the


technology to introduce reds, greens and blues to the
firework displays
What’s inside a
Firework?
Theory of Combustion
The Chemistry of fireworks is based on the theory of
combustion:
Combustion is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions
between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of
heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can
result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a
flame.

The composition inside the firework must however


contain 6 vital ingredients…
Fuel Oxidizing
Agent

Reducing
Binder
Agent

Coloring
Regulator
Agent
THE
END
Firework Fuel (1)
Normally, all fuels will contain an organic element
such as charcoal or thermite. Charcoal (a.k.a. black
powder) is the most common fuel used in fireworks.

The fuel loses electrons to atoms within the oxidiser


(thereby reducing the oxidiser) and releasing atoms
from the oxidiser.

During this process, bonds are formed between the


fuel and oxygen atoms forming a product which is
relatively stable.
Firework Fuel (2)
Only a minimal amount of energy is required to start the
combustion of this fuel-oxidiser compound.

When combustion does start, the result is a massive


release of energy as the solid mixture liquefies and
vaporizes into the flame of ignition.

This maximizes the probability of reaction of the


oxidizer as it is brought into the close proximity of the
flame.

BACK
Oxidising Agents (1)
The function of the oxidising agent is to produce the
oxygen needed in order for the mixture inside the
firework to burn.

These oxidisers can be nitrates, chlorates or


perchlorates.

XNO3 XNO2+ ½ O2
Oxidising Agents (2)
Nitrates only give up a third of their oxygen as the
equation above illustrates.

Chlorates get completely reduced as they are better


oxidising agents and so cause an even more
spectacular reaction.

2XClO3 2XCl + 3O2


Oxidising Agents (3)
Perchlorates contain even more oxygen but are less
likely to explode than chlorates due to their increase
in stability.

They follow the reaction below:

XClO4 XCl + 2O2

BACK
Reducing Agent
These burn the oxygen provided by the oxidising
agents to produce hot gasses.

Common reducing agents are Sulphur and Charcoal.

These react with the oxygen to form Sulphur dioxide


and Carbon dioxide respectively:

S+O2 - SO2
C+O2 - CO2
By mixing both the reducing agents, the speed of the
reaction can be controlled.

Regulators
Metals can be added to regulate the speed at
which the reaction. The larger the surface area of
the metal, the faster the reaction will proceed
(collision theory).

BACK
Colouring Agents (1)
Different chemicals are used to produce different coloured
fireworks.

In order to produce a firework of a certain colour, the correct


corresponding chemical or as the case may be, mixture of
chemicals can be used.

The incandescence from the elements occurs when solid


particles are heated in the flame to extremely high
temperatures. These release excess energy in the form of
light (hv) at the broad end of the spectrum.
Colouring Agents (2)

Metal Colour
Strontium Red
Copper Blue
Barium Green
Sodium Yellow/Orange
Calcium Orange
Iron Gold
Strontium + Copper Purple
Colouring Agents (3)
The incandescence from the elements occurs when
solid particles are heated in the flame to extremely
high temperatures.

These release excess energy in the form of light (hv)


at the broad end of the spectrum.

The higher the temperature, the shorter the


wavelength at which light is emitted, and the nearer
it tends toward the blue end of the coloured
spectrum.
BACK
BINDERS
Binders are used to hold what is essentially the
mixture of the firework together in a paste like
mixture.

The most commonly used binder is known as


dextrin.

The binders do not actually begin to work until the


firework has been lit as they are too unstable for
storage within the firework and are hence potentially
dangerous.
BACK
THANK YOU

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