| Fireworks were developed by the ancient Chinese in | | | | rapidly into the core of the rocket, the gunpowder in |
| the Second century BC and are the oldest and most | | | | phase 1 burns and gives off hot exhaust gases which |
| basic form of rocket. | | | | fire backwards and sends the firework shooting |
| Many of our modern day weaponry can trace it's | | | | through the air. This is an example of newton's third |
| history back to the firework, thanks to the fireworks | | | | law of motion; whenever a particle A exerts a force |
| major component 'gunpowder'. These early fireworks | | | | on another particle B, B simultaneously exerts a force |
| were developed in to rockets and were used in | | | | on A with the same magnitude in the opposite |
| warfare such as the invasion of China by the Mongols | | | | direction. The strong form of the law further |
| in 1279. | | | | postulates that these two forces act along the same |
| The Mongols and Arabs brought gunpowder to the | | | | line. This law is often simplified into the sentence, "To |
| West and the idea of the canon and hand gun were | | | | every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." |
| conceived by utilising the explosive properties of | | | | As the fuse continues to burn through the rocket |
| gunpowder. The early firework was even the | | | | the material in phase 2 of the rocket, which is more |
| forerunner for the modern space rocket. It was the | | | | loosely packaged will ignite and it is this material that |
| American scientist Robert Hutchings who swapped | | | | will give off the bright colours or secondary multiple |
| the solid fuel in fireworks for a liquid fuel system | | | | explosions seconds later. |
| which pioneered modern space rocket technology | | | | The various colours that can be seen are due to the |
| that ultimately led to man landing on the moon in | | | | different metal compounds that are packed into the |
| 1969. | | | | firework. Sodium compounds will give a yellow and |
| There is such an array of fireworks available today, | | | | orange colour, whereas copper and barium salts give |
| however, the basic principle is pretty much the same. | | | | off green or blue and strontium make a red colour. |
| Traditionally fireworks used gunpowder, comprising of | | | | Fireworks can be used for a variety of situations, |
| 75% Potassium Nitrate, 15% Charcoal and 10% | | | | such as birthdays, new year celebrations and even |
| Sulphur to provide the explosive powder to give the | | | | weddings, however, although fireworks can be awe |
| firework the thrust to go into the air. Today | | | | inspiring and fun please remember that they can be |
| however, fireworks may use a variety of other | | | | very dangerous and need to be handled with care. |
| chemicals. | | | | Remember to always follow the instructions that |
| The firework has basically has two phases, the first | | | | accompany the fireworks or better still go to a |
| phase comprises of tightly packed explosive material | | | | display at an organised event. |
| being contained in a shell. When a fuse is lit, it burns | | | | |