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How do fireworks work? A pyrotechnics chemist explains the science behind the brilliant colors and sounds

  • Written by Paul E. Smith, Lecture Demonstrator for Chemistry, Purdue University
How do fireworks work? A pyrotechnics chemist explains the science behind the brilliant colors and soundsColors, sparks, booms and whistles all require different pyrotechnic recipes.chensiyuan/WikimediaCommons, CC BY-SA

For many people around the world, the very first moments of the new year will be filled with the sounds and colorful light shows of fireworks. From loud bangs to long whistles, bright reds to pale blues, there are thousands of...

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