Firework presentation

Slide 1:
Image basic firework

Nose cone usually for aesthetics and aerodynamics so empty

Effects are packed around a burst charge to spread them
Burst charge is either ignited by a time fuse or by the propellant
Propellant fires rocket into sky
Fuse lights propellant and gives people time to get back,
Fins, or more usually stick, is to help the launch and to stabilize the flight

Slide 2:
The propellant

Fireworks tend to use black powder as a propellant

All fireworks allowed in most countries must be solid fuel propellant
Black powder is a mix of KNO3, S8 and C:
Burns to give off CO, NO and SO2 if burnt in a confined space (such as inside a
firework)
Even if burns cleanly produces chemicals that are harmful
Some missiles (such as the Cobra) use a single crystal so it burns evenly
Leads to problems of limited shelf-life
Is research on making eco-friendly propellant

Slide 3:
The dispersion charge

The dispersion charge is to throw the effects away from the rocket
Usually uses something similar to gun cotton
When compacted gun cotton detonates causing a shockwave and increasing the rate of
reaction.
The 500-ton image:
You can see the explosion, the initial shockwave on the water and the
condensation cloud.
This nicely shows a detonation.