Fireworks

=Chemistry of Fireworks=

Your job in this WebQuest is to discover the component parts of fireworks, and to identify the chemical compounds that are responsible for the brilliant colors that light up the sky as fireworks explode. You will explore the history of fireworks and find out when the first fireworks were invented. You will learn about firework design and how fireworks are built. You will also find out what chemical compounds are responsible for the colors seen in fireworks

Students will work in small groups. Each group is assigned questions to explore. Use the internet to research the answers to your questions. Prepare a whiteboard to present the information you found.

· What exactly is a firework? · What type of simple chemical reaction occurs in fireworks? · What three processes cause fireworks to emit light? · Where and when were the first fireworks invented? · Who were the first Europeans to master fireworks? · What are the components of black powder? · What are the ratios of these components? · What is responsible for the whistling sound that often accompanies fireworks? · What are the component parts of modern fireworks? · What does each part do? **GROUP 5** • What types of elements are responsible for the colors of fireworks? • Create a table that lists the chemical compounds that create the following colors of fireworks: blue, turquoise, yellow, pink, red, brilliant red, green, bright green, purple, white. You may use chemical formulas rather than common names of compounds in your table.
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=RESOURCES=

The links below are just a few of the places where you can find information about fireworks.
A History of Fireworks. At this site, you can learn about the history of fireworks.

Professional Colors. Visit this site to learn how professionals create the colors that appear during the vibrant displays of fireworks.

Lights and Colours. Go to this site to see what chemicals create the colors of firesworks. Before the 19th century, only the colors white, yellow, and orange were possible in fireworks. When did the colors red, green, blue, and purple become possible in fireworks?

How Fireworks are Made. At this site you can find out what chemical compounds create the colors of modern fireworks.

NOVA Online: Kaboom! Go to this site for a diagram of the parts of a modern firework. Each part of the diagram has an active label. Click on each label to learn more about that part of the firework.

The Chemistry of Fireworks. Visit this site to learn more about the chemical reactions in fireworks. Find out what two types of binders are used in fireworks today.