YOUCHEMISTRY: Underwater Fireworks: Sparklers

24 Apr 2011

Underwater Fireworks: Sparklers

by thirstforscience


A sparkler (from wikipedia) is a type of hand-held firework that burns slowly while emitting colored flames, sparks, and other effects. They rely on REDOX reactions and therefore they contain two main components:

FUEL (reducing agent). There are two types:
  • Metallic fuel, mandatory to make sparks; size of particles influences appearance of the sparks
    • Aluminium or magnesium or magnalium, producing white sparks
    • Iron, producing orange branching sparks
    • Titanium, producing rich white sparks
    • Ferrotitanium, for yellow-gold sparkles
  • Additional fuel, optional, modifying the burning speed
    • Sulfur
    • Charcoal
OXIDIZER (oxidant agent). There are several types
    • Potassium nitrate
    • Barium nitrate
    • Strontium nitrate
    • Potassium perchlorate, more powerful but potentially explosive
As the sparklers contain their own oxidizer they don´t need to be in contact with air to burn out and therefore they work underwater!!

 


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