What exactly is a firework? The firework is a series of chemical rections that five off colored light and make sounds. Where and when were the first fireworks invented? Fireworks were reputed to have been invented by a Chinese cook in the 9th century, or Taoist monks around 1000 years ago. But it is commonly thought it actually was the Chinese. As a craft and art, pyrotechnics originated around 1st century AD in China, with the invention of black powder. Who were the first Europeans to master fireworks? The Italians were the first Europeans to mater fireworks. What type of simple chemical reaction occurs in fireworks? A combustion reaction occurs in fireworks. What are the components of black powder? What are the ratios of these components? The components of black powder are charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate. What three processes cause fireworks to emit light? The oxidizing agent produces the oxygen to burn the mixture. The oxidizers give up their oxygen in explosive ways. The reducing agents burn the oxygen produce hot gases. Binders hold the mixture in a lump. Oxidizers, reducing agents and binders, Compositions to generate the Emitters molecules Emitters into the flame Fuel - oxidiser system(to achieve high temperature for mazimum light output) binder What types of elements are responsible for the colors of fireworks? Elements that are metals are responsible for the colors in fireworks. What is responsible for the whistling sound that often accompanies fireworks? What are the component parts of modern fireworks? What does each part do? A modern "shell": Container - Usually pasted paper and string formed into a cylinder Stars - Spheres, cubes or cylinders of a sparkler-like composition Bursting charge - Firecracker-like charge at the center of the shell Fuse - Provides a time delay so the shell explodes at the right altitude below the shell is a container for the lifting charge, called the mortar. Create a table that lists the chemical compounds that create the following colors of fireworks: blue, turquoise, yellow, pink, red, brilliant red, green, bright green, purple, white. You may use chemical formulas rather than common names of compounds in your table. Emitters: Colour Emitters used Wavelength range Yellow Sodium D-line atomic emission 589 nm Orange CaCl, molecular bands several bands, 591- 599 nm, 603-608 nm being the most intense Red SrCl, molecular bands a: 617-623 nm b: 627-635 nm c: 640-646 nm Red SrOH(?), molecular bands 600-613 nm Green BaCl, molecular bands a: 511-515 nm b: 524-528 nm d: 530-533 nm Blue CuCl, molecular bands 403-456 nm, several intense bands, less intense bands between 460 nm and 530 nm