Chemical Elements in Fireworks

Fireworks are a traditional part of many celebrations, including Independence Day. There is a lot of physics and chemistry involved in making fireworks. Their colors come from the different temperatures of hot, glowing metals and from the light emitted by burning chemical compounds. Chemical reactions propel them and burst them into special shapes. Here's an element-by-element look at what is involved in your average firework.

Components in Fireworks

Aluminum: Aluminum is used to produce silver and white flames and sparks. It is a common component of sparklers.

Antimony: Antimony is used to create firework glitter effects.

Barium: Barium is used to create green colors in fireworks, and it can also help stabilize other volatile elements.

Calcium: Calcium is used to deepen firework colors. Calcium salts produce orange fireworks.

Carbon: Carbon is one of the main components of black powder, which is used as a propellant in fireworks. Carbon provides the fuel for a firework. Common forms include carbon black, sugar, or starch.

Chlorine: Chlorine is an important component of many oxidizers in fireworks. Several of the metal salts that produce colors contain chlorine.

Copper: Copper compounds produce blue colors in fireworks.

Iron: Iron is used to produce sparks. The heat of the metal determines the color of the sparks.

Lithium: Lithium is a metal that is used to impart a red color to fireworks. Lithium carbonate, in particular, is a common colorant.

Magnesium: Magnesium burns a very bright white, so it is used to add white sparks or improve the overall brilliance of a firework.

Oxygen: Fireworks include oxidizers, which are substances that produce oxygen in order for burning to occur. The oxidizers are usually nitrates, chlorates, or perchlorates. Sometimes the same substance is used to provide oxygen and color.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus burns spontaneously in air and is also responsible for some glow-in-the-dark effects. It may be a component of a firework's fuel.

Potassium: Potassium helps to oxidize firework mixtures. Potassium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and potassium perchlorate are all important oxidizers.

Sodium: Sodium imparts a gold or yellow color to fireworks, however, the color may be so bright that it masks less intense colors.

Sulfur: Sulfur is a component of black powder. It is found in a firework's propellant/fuel.

Strontium: Strontium salts impart a red color to fireworks. Strontium compounds are also important for stabilizing fireworks mixtures.

Titanium: Titanium metal can be burned as powder or flakes to produce silver sparks.

Zinc: Zinc is used to create smoke effects for fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices.