Fireworks generate light, heat, and sound during their explosions. However, their use in celebrations can be harmful to the environment, particularly the ozone layer. Although fireworks are made from paper and plastic, their use can damage the environment and create a dangerous burst of ozone. This article will give you a general overview of the science behind fireworks and how they work. After reading this article, you’ll be able to enjoy fireworks safely with your family and friends.
Explosions of fireworks generate sound, light and heat
Fireworks, or rockets or shells, are explosive devices that produce three forms of energy: sound, light and heat. Fireworks have a booming sound after a blast, and the sudden release of energy causes air to expand at a faster rate than the speed of sound. This creates a shockwave. The colors of fireworks come from the oxidation of metal salts in a mixture of air and powder.
They generate a burst of ozone
Ozone is a greenhouse gas and a secondary pollutant. Ozone is produced when UV radiation interacts with molecular oxygen, a gas found in the stratosphere and troposphere. Diwali sparklers, which are a popular tradition in Delhi, generate a burst of ozone when they burn, and the colour they emit causes alarm. However, these fireworks are not the only source of ozone, as they also generate a large amount of UV radiation.
They can be hazardous to the environment
There are many concerns about the environment caused by fireworks. The explosions from fireworks create fine particles and harmful gases in the air. They also generate a “burst” of ozone, a greenhouse gas that can attack the lungs. Normally, ozone is produced by sunlight. However, fireworks produce small amounts of ozone when they explode. Read on for more information on how fireworks can affect the environment.
They can be made of plastic or paper
When choosing a bag, consider the sustainability of the material. While paper is usually made from plant-based resources, it is also compostable and biodegradable. Plastic, on the other hand, can also be made from plant-based sources, called bioplastic, and performs similarly to plastic made from oil. Most plastic is recyclable, provided that it is not biodegradable. Biodegradable plastic will only degrade when buried in the soil, so it will not breakdown as quickly as regular plastic in the open air or sea.
They contain heavy metals
Recent research has shown that two out of 12 consumer fireworks tested contained dangerous levels of lead and copper. The most toxic, Black Cuckoo, contained almost 40,000 parts per million lead and just 12,000 parts per million copper. Other harmful metals found in fireworks included zinc, barium, and bromine. Researchers also found cobalt and other metals in a variety of fireworks. In addition, the study’s chamber experiment found that the effects of fireworks on human lungs and mice are equivalent to the daily exposure to pollutants in the air of Manhattan.
They contain oxidizers
Most propellants have a common chemical structure, which makes it difficult to distinguish one type of oxidizer from another. However, some propellants are highly reactive. For example, RDX and EGDN can cause chemical reactions when combined. This explains why some propellants produce very strong emission. For more information, see the table below. Here is a brief description of the chemical structure of RDX and EGDN.
They contain fuel
Fossil fuels are carbon-rich substances found in the Earth’s crust. These fuels range in composition from liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials such as coal. Other fuels, such as methane, are found in hydrocarbon fields and methane clathrates. These fossil fuels were formed over millions of years of exposure to the Earth’s heat and pressure. The biogenic theory was first proposed by Georg Agricola in 1556 and Mikhail Lomonosov in the 18th century.