It’s the holiday season and we’ll be seeing lots of fireworks everywhere during this time of the year. What do you know about fireworks? We gathered some fun facts below:

1. China’s Invention: Fireworks were invented in China over 1,000 years ago. Legend has it that a Chinese cook accidentally mixed three common kitchen ingredients—saltpeter (potassium nitrate), charcoal, and sulfur—and discovered the mixture produced colorful flames.
2. Gunpowder Composition: The basic composition of fireworks involves gunpowder. Traditional black powder consists of 74% saltpeter, 13% charcoal, and 13% sulfur.
3. Colors and Chemicals: Different metal compounds are used to create the vibrant colors in fireworks. For example, strontium salts produce red, barium salts create green, copper compounds result in blue, and sodium compounds yield yellow.
4. Largest Firework: The world record for the largest firework display is held by the United Arab Emirates, where they set off over 500,000 fireworks in just six minutes during the 2014 New Year’s Eve celebrations.
5. Pyrotechnic Stars: The small, light-emitting pellets in fireworks are known as pyrotechnic stars. These stars contain the chemical compounds responsible for producing the different colors when ignited.
6. Fireworks Shapes: Pyrotechnicians can shape the explosions into various forms. Common shapes include smiley faces, hearts, and even complex company logos.
7. Firework Sounds: The loud noise produced by fireworks is due to the rapid expansion of hot gases escaping the confines of the firework shell. The “bang” is created by the shockwave formed as these gases rapidly expand.
8. Firework Rockets: The design of modern fireworks was influenced by rocket technology. The same basic principles that allow rockets to travel into space are applied to propel fireworks into the sky.
9. Fireworks in Space: In 2012, Japanese researchers successfully tested fireworks in space. They ignited small explosive charges aboard a microsatellite, creating tiny, controlled fireworks displays in microgravity.
10. Fireworks and Chemistry: Creating fireworks is essentially a chemical process. Pyrotechnicians carefully calculate the proportions of chemicals to achieve specific colors, effects, and durations for a dazzling and safe display.

Please remember to always prioritize safety when dealing with fireworks, and adhere to local laws and regulations.