Fireworks

Purpose:

    Chemical powders are mixed together to provide a color and oxygen source and when ignited make a bright flash. This is a bit more exciting than the standard flame tests.

Materials:

  • Read the

    MSDS sheets

  • White flash--5 g of magnesium powder and 10 g of potassium chlorate.

  • White flash #2--5 g aluminium powder and 5 g of potassium dichromate.

  • White flash #3--18 g of potassium chlorate, 5 g magnesium powder, 3 g of aluminium powder, 1 g of sugar.

  • Red flash--6 g of strontium nitrate, 3 g magnesium powder, 2 g potassium chlorate.

  • Green flash--3 g barium chlorate, 1 g magnesium powder.

  • Yellow flash--2 g sodium nitrate, 3 g sodium chlorate, 3 g magnesium powder.

  • Water activated flash #1--5 g aluminium powder and 5 g sodium peroxide.

Procedure:

  1. Wear long clothing and covered footwear. Put on goggles, apron and rubber gloves. Work in a ventilated area.

  2. Powder each chemical separately with a clean mortar and pestle.

  3. Mix the chemicals on a piece of paper.

  4. Place 5 g of the mixture/paper on a metal square that rests on a tripod or ring stand.

  5. Have observers stand 10 or more feet away and have water nearby in case of burns.

  6. Darken the room. Light a Bunsen burner and push it under the chemical

    OR

    squirt water from an eye dropper onto the mixture and then stand back.

Discussion:

Early photography flash units used chemical powders as a source of light. What mixtures are needed for blue and purple colors? Try taking color pictures with these flashes in a darkened room. You could try to make sparklers from kits supplied by various chemical supply houses to do this. Check out the following website for a good explanation of fireworks: http://www.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm

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