The Chemistry of Fireworks"For centuries fireworks have been a source of delight and amazement in cultures around the world. But what produces their dazzling array of effects? This book takes you behind the scenes to explore the chemistry and physics behind the art of pyrotechnics. Topics covered include history and characteristics of gunpowder; principles behind each of the most popular firework types: rockets, shells, fountains, sparklers, bangers, roman candles and wheels; special effects, including sound effects, coloured smokes and electrical firing; firework safety for private use and displays; and firework legislation. The Chemistry of Fireworks is aimed at students with A level qualifications or equivalent. The style is concise and easy to understand, and the theory of fireworks is discussed in terms of well-known scientific concepts wherever possible. It will also be a useful source of reference for anyone studying pyrotechnics as applied to fireworks. Review Extracts ""a worthwhile addition to the pyrotechnist's library"" Fireworks ""a useful source of information which makes absorbing reading."" Angewandte Chemie, International Edition" |
Contents
Historical Introduction | 1 |
Application of Black Powder to Fireworks | 7 |
Further Uses of Black Powder | 8 |
The Characteristics of Black Powder | 10 |
Influence of Moisture on Burning Time | 11 |
Thermal Ignition of Black Powder | 13 |
Thermal Analysis of Black Powder | 16 |
Analysis by TG | 17 |
Volume of Evolved Gases | 63 |
Airblast and Sound | 64 |
Roman Candles | 66 |
Emission of Radiation by Stars | 68 |
Chemistry of the Green Star | 70 |
Ionisation in Flames | 71 |
Chemistry of the Red Star | 72 |
Gerbs and Wheels | 75 |
Analysis by DTA | 18 |
Analysis by DSC | 19 |
Stoichiometry | 20 |
Heat of Reaction | 21 |
Temperature of Reaction | 25 |
Rockets | 27 |
External ballistics | 31 |
Rocket Design and Manufacture | 32 |
Recent Developments | 34 |
Mines and Shells | 37 |
Internal Ballistics | 39 |
External Ballistics | 42 |
Mortar Tubes | 44 |
Energy Transfer Efficiency | 45 |
Mines | 46 |
Fountains | 48 |
Atomic Theory | 49 |
Quantum Theory | 50 |
The Colour of Sparks | 52 |
The Brightness of Sparks | 54 |
Sparklers | 59 |
Tubed Sparklers | 60 |
Bangers | 62 |
Method of Construction | 76 |
Wheels | 77 |
Special Effects | 80 |
Piper Match | 81 |
Plastic Fuse | 82 |
Lance | 83 |
Setpieces | 85 |
Devices | 86 |
Flash and Noise Effects | 87 |
The Whistle Effect | 89 |
Smoke Puffs | 90 |
Coloured Smokes | 91 |
Firing Electrically | 94 |
Fireworks Safety | 97 |
Organised Displays | 98 |
Fireworks Legislation | 103 |
British Standard for Fireworks | 104 |
UK List of Classified and Authorised Explosives | 106 |
Recent Legislation | 108 |
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| 112 | |
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Common terms and phrases
aluminium Antimony trisulfide atoms banger barium nitrate black powder blue touch-paper burning rate burst carbonate Chapter charcoal chemical reaction chemistry chlorate chloride colour combustion containing curves decomposition delay fuse devices ejection electrons emission emit emitter Endotherm energy levels enthalpy equation exothermic explosive composition External Ballistics fire firework display firework rocket fireworks industry flame flash fountain fuels gases gerbs grain gunpowder green star gunpowder hazard heat of reaction ignition increases ingredients Ionisation kJ mol kJ mol-¹ KNO3 lances lifting charge manufacture mealed powder metal molecules mortar tube muzzle velocity nozzle number of moles operators oxide oxidiser oxygen particles piped match potassium nitrate potassium perchlorate pressure produced propellant pyrotechnic composition quickmatch rate of burning rocket motor Roman candles saltpetre salts set-piece shell smoke Sodium sparklers sparks specific impulse spectrum strontium substance sulfur surface Table temperature thermal titanium typical wavelength wheels wire wirebridge fusehead
Popular passages
Page 110 - ... centimeter of bomb capacity) of 0.0027 ± 0.0005 g. per cubic centimeter, and an oxygen pressure of 25 ± 1 atm. As the sample cup used in calibrating must be different from the one used for heat-ofexplosion determinations, correct the determined water equivalent for this dif' Davis, Tennev L., The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1943.